In the crowded 2026 California Gubernatorial race, both parties are emphasizing affordability and cost-of-living, though they offer divergent solutions. While top Democrats advocate for expanding housing supply and targeted taxes, the leading Republicans focus heavily on deregulation, reducing government spending, and cutting taxes.
Here are the positions of the leading candidates in the race:
Leading Republicans
Steve Hilton (Former adviser to David Cameron, Fox News contributor)
Criticizes state leaders for the cost of California’s current healthcare system and opposes free state healthcare access for undocumented immigrants.
Chad Bianco (Riverside County Sheriff)
Opposes state-funded Medi-Cal coverage for undocumented immigrants, arguing the state cannot afford it.
Leading Democrats
Xavier Becerra (Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary)
A well-known proponent of universal healthcare and public health; supports state-funded healthcare access for undocumented immigrants.
Katie Porter (Former U.S. Representative)
Supports a single-payer or broader universal healthcare model, advocating for accessible care regardless of immigration status.
Tom Steyer (Billionaire entrepreneur and environmental activist)
Supports the transition to a single-payer healthcare system in California to address high costs, allowing care for all residents.
Matt Mahan (Mayor of San Jose)
Focuses on managing the costs of the state’s existing healthcare infrastructure to ensure efficiency rather than expanding into new untested programs.
To check the official backgrounds of the candidates, polling data, or find your nearest polling place, visit the California Secretary of State or review the KQED Voter Guide for detailed local overviews.