California voters prepare for the 2026 gubernatorial election

 As the primary approaches, UC Davis students discuss key issues in the upcoming election

By LAILA AZHAR and GRACIELA TIU — features@theaggie.org

The 2026 California Primary Election will take place on June 2, with voters choosing candidates for governor and other statewide offices. The California gubernatorial election, one of 39 taking place across the country, features six Democrats and two Republicans as prominent candidates in the primary, and only the top two — regardless of party affiliation — will advance to the general election on Nov. 3.

The California governor holds a significant amount of power, as they lead and influence the policies, budget and executive agencies of the most populous state in the United States. Given that California has the largest state economy in the country and holds a considerable amount of political and cultural influence, the governor’s decision-making can often shape national conversations around issues such as housing, education, the climate and public safety.

“I think it's really important for young people — especially students [in] the [University of California system] — to go out and vote in this election because whoever is elected plays a large role in determining what policies and funding are given to our schools and will directly impact students,” Sofia Barros, a third-year political science major, said. “I think that, as young people, it's our responsibility to be well informed about who is running and their policies, [...] because ultimately we are selecting what the future will look like.”

With the state’s top-two primary system, all candidates, regardless of party affiliation, will appear on the same ballot, and the two candidates with the highest number of votes will advance to the general election. 

 “Voting in the California primary election is important, because it helps decide which candidates make it to the final election,” Raihana Latifzada, a third-year managerial economics major, said. “In California, the top two candidates move on, so the primary can really affect the outcome.”

Because there are currently six Democratic and two Republican candidates, voters splitting their support among multiple candidates within their affiliated party could sway the election. Even with California’s reputation as a blue state, two Republicans could progress to the general election. 

Some have argued that — after President Donald Trump endorsed Republican candidate Steve Hilton and voters began to note the possibility of two Republican nominees — the likelihood of the two Republicans taking the lead against Democrats is decreasing. As new polls come in, however, the primary election outcome remains unclear, and the state will be left to make its decision on June 2.

Currently, Democrat Xavier Becerra appears to be the frontrunner, according to KTLA. Becerra is the former state attorney general and served as the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the Joe Biden Administration. 

Becerra has led numerous state lawsuits against Trump, an experience that he cites as essential for serving as the governor of California under Trump’s presidency. Expanding healthcare access and protecting human rights are among his other listed priorities. 

During his tenure as HHS secretary, Becerra was criticized for his management of migrant children amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Left-leaning activists within the Democratic Party have additionally criticized him for his alignment with establishment Democrats.

Republican Steve Hilton, the former director of strategy for British Prime Minister David Cameron and a former Fox News host, is polling just behind Becerra. Hilton is running a campaign oriented around cutting regulations to increase affordability. He champions “end[ing] the bureaucratic war on business” and reducing the state budget in order to cut taxes, according to his official website. 

Democratic candidate and climate activist Tom Steyer, who is polling just behind Becerra and Hilton, has demonstrated support for the “Billionaire Tax Act” — which will be on the ballot this November — and has called for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Steyer has received criticism for his status as a billionaire, with some noting that despite his self-identification as a “class-traitor,” his interests may still lie with the ultra-wealthy. His policy proposals include closing tax loopholes for corporations and billionaires and lowering housing, electricity and gas prices.

Other candidates include Republican Chad Bianco, the Riverside County sheriff who pledged to repeal SB 54 (the California state sanctuary law restricting state and local law enforcement from using their resources to assist federal immigration enforcement); Democrat Katie Porter, a former congresswoman and law professor focusing on consumer protection; and Antonio Villaraigosa, the former Democratic majority leader and speaker of the California State Assembly. 

UC Davis students reported using a variety of sources to research candidates. Evan Liu, a third-year science and technology studies and cognitive science double major, referred to voter guides and conversations with friends. 

“I mainly referenced the DSA [Democratic Socialists of America] and CalMatters voter guides and talked to my friends,” Liu said. “I voted already — my technique for the lesser-known or local election candidates is to have the ballot open on my right and Google on my left.” 

When considering who to vote for, Liu found himself balancing his personal priorities with pragmatism.  

“[My top priorities] are healthcare, abolishing ICE and divesting from the military projects, including tech in Silicon Valley,” Liu said. “I’m voting Tom Steyer for governor [but] would prefer Ramsey Robinson if there weren’t warning signs for two Republicans to take the primary.” 

The last day to register to vote in the primary was May 18, 2026, and all registered voters will have begun receiving mail-in ballots. Completed ballots can be returned by mail, at drop-off locations or to county elections offices. Voters can also obtain a polling place ballot starting on May 30 if choosing not to vote by mail.

Voting Assistance Centers in Davis — including the Activities and Recreation Center (ARC) pop-up — will be open several days before the election. Ballot Drop Boxes are also available until 8 p.m. on June 2, with an on-campus box behind Hunt Hall. For more information, visit the Aggies Vote page on the Student Affairs website.

“I think it's important for Davis students to go out and vote because this elected official does play a large role in not only their education, but also their lives after college if they choose to stay in this state,” Barros said. “I also think that voting is a civic duty, and everyone should go out and vote to practice civic engagement. While politics can be very divisive at times, it also creates opportunities for people to come together as a collective and decide what policies they want implemented and elect an individual that they believe will represent them accurately and honestly.”

Written by: Laila Azhar and Graciela Tiu — features@theaggie.org