California Governor's Race

The governor’s race turned from personality to price tags, with candidates pressed on high-speed rail, Medi-Cal eligibility, women’s sports and oil production, while the insurance crisis drew a technocratic pitch for regulation rooted in market experience. In this episode: Top stories: 1. Dem candidates make stunning debate pledges that’ll infuriate most Californians - AOL — AOL https://www.aol.com/articles/dem-candidates-stunning-debate-pledges-035851797.html 2. Patrick Wolff: Taking on the insurance crisis with experience, not politics – Orange County Register — Orange County Register https://www.ocregister.com/2026/05/02/patrick-wolff-taking-on-the-insurance-crisis-with-experience-not-politics/ Feedback? Email [email protected]

With ballots landing, the race is tightening around concrete tests: homelessness policy, Becerra’s sudden elevation, and whether Steyer’s endorsements or Mahan’s tech-funded moderation can translate money and validators into actual primary votes. In this episode: Top stories: 1. How will California’s next governor handle homelessness? - CalMatters — CalMatters https://calmatters.org/politics/2026/05/ca-governor-candidates-homelessness/ 2. California’s candidates for governor target ascending Becerra on national stage – Orange County Register — Orange County Register https://www.ocregister.com/2026/05/06/californias-candidates-for-governor-target-ascending-becerra-on-national-stage/ 3. Willie Brown endorses Tom Steyer for California governor — Sacramento Bee https://www.sacbee.com/entertainment/living/article315650089.html 4. The California Academy of Family Physicians Endorses Xavier Becerra for California Governor — PR Newswire https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-california-academy-of-family-physicians-endorses-xavier-becerra-for-california-governor-302764526.html 5. Backed By Tech Money, A Moderate Democrat From Silicon Valley Mounts A Bid For California Governor — Recently Heard https://recentlyheard.com/backed-by-tech-money-a-moderate-democrat-from-silicon-valley-mounts-a-bid-for-california-governor/ Feedback? Email [email protected]

As ballots arrive, California’s governor race is still unsettled: seven candidates head to a CNN debate, polls show no clear favorite, and endorsements, education fights and top-two math are sharpening the stakes. In this episode: Top stories: 1. Will Tuesday's California gubernatorial debate be 'calm' or 'a mess?' - AOL — AOL https://www.aol.com/articles/tuesdays-california-gubernatorial-debate-calm-171814899.html 2. It's here! Candidates talk to us in our 2026 voter guide - CalMatters — Lynn La https://calmatters.org/newsletter/california-2026-elections-voter-guide/ 3. California gubernatorial candidates divided over education funding and social issues | Education | calonews.com — Diana Lambert, EdSource https://www.calonews.com/featured-topics/education/california-gubernatorial-candidates-divided-over-education-funding-and-social-issues/article_46e14cab-fc30-447e-8b29-f9a586170718.html 4. Kamala Harris endorses slate of California candidates — but not for governor — San Francisco Chronicle https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/kamala-harris-governor-endorsement-22239965.php 5. SACRAMENTO BEE & MCCLATCHY CALIFORNIA ENDORSES KATIE PORTER FOR GOVERNOR  | Katie Porter for Governor — abbyhasselbrink https://katieporter.com/2026/05/sacramento-bee-mcclatchy-california-endorses-katie-porter-for-governor/ Feedback? Email [email protected]

Becerra’s health-care retreat and campaign-adjacent ethics questions are giving rivals new openings, while Steyer’s self-funded push and Chevron-money fights show how fast California’s governor’s race is becoming a test of money, trust, and purity politics. In this episode: Top stories: 1. Xavier Becerra Backpedals on Single Payer as He Woos Powerful Doctors’ Lobby | KQED — KQED https://www.kqed.org/news/12082059/xavier-becerra-backpedals-on-single-payer-as-he-woos-powerful-doctors-lobby 2. Political firm with ties to people accused of stealing from Xavier Becerra is supporting his bid for governor — KCRA https://www.kcra.com/article/xavier-becerra-bearstar-supporting-bid-for-governor/71181747 3. PRIMARY ‘26: Billionaire Steyer goes all in for California’s gubernatorial race (with video) – City Times — Azriel Castaneda https://sdcitytimes.com/news/2026/05/01/primary-26-steyer-introduction/ 4. Steyer criticizes Chevron money but allies also benefit | Sacramento Bee — Sacramento Bee https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article315586981.html 5. From the desk of…Another televised debate, another missed chance to clear up California’s unsettled governor’s race – The Ukiah Daily Journal — The Ukiah Daily Journal https://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/2026/05/01/from-the-desk-of-another-televised-debate-another-missed-chance-to-clear-up-californias-unsettled-governors-race/ Feedback? Email [email protected]

California’s unsettled governor’s race is being pulled between process panic and trust problems: Democrats are suddenly worried the top-two primary could backfire, while Becerra faces fresh scrutiny over campaign allies and rivals struggle to break through. In this episode: Top stories: 1. Political firm with ties to people accused of stealing from Xavier Becerra is supporting his bid for governor — Ashley Zavala https://www.kcra.com/article/xavier-becerra-bearstar-supporting-bid-for-governor/71181747 2. Top California Democrat urges change to ‘free-for-all’ primary to keep governor’s mansion blue — The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/01/california-democrats-republicans-governor 3. From the desk of…Another televised debate, another missed chance to clear up California’s unsettled governor’s race – The Ukiah Daily Journal — The Ukiah Daily Journal https://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/2026/05/01/from-the-desk-of-another-televised-debate-another-missed-chance-to-clear-up-californias-unsettled-governors-race/ 4. ‘We’re Gonna Get ICE Out of the State’: California Governor Candidate Butch Ware Faces Backlash Over ICE Threat | The Nerd Stash — The Nerd Stash https://thenerdstash.com/were-gonna-get-ice-out-of-the-state-california-governor-candidate-butch-ware-faces-backlash-over-ice-threat/ Feedback? Email [email protected]

California’s governor’s race remains unsettled after another low-clarity debate, even as new polling tightens the top tier and candidates sharpen positions on housing, schools, and Hollywood jobs. In this episode: Top stories: 1. Another televised debate, another missed chance to clear up California’s unsettled governor’s race – Lake County Record-Bee — Lake County Record-Bee https://www.record-bee.com/2026/04/30/another-televised-debate-another-missed-chance-to-clear-up-californias-unsettled-governors-race/ 2. Steyer Closing In On Hilton In Latest Governor's Race Poll, Becerra On the Rise — Sfist https://sfist.com/2026/04/30/steyer-closing-in-on-hilton-in-latest-governors-race-poll-becerra-on-the-rise/ 3. Your guide to the California governor candidates' views on housing and homelessness — Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-05-01/2026-california-election-governor-candidates-housing-homelessness-voter-guide 4. California gubernatorial candidates divided over education funding and social issues – EdSource — EdSource https://edsource.org/2026/california-governors-education-debate/756626?amp=1 5. Trump-Backed Candidate Joins Call for Unlimited Film and TV Incentive — Variety https://variety.com/2026/film/news/trump-steve-hilton-film-tv-tax-incentive-1236734509/ Feedback? Email [email protected]

California’s governor’s race is entering ballot season without a clear front-runner: new polling and a chaotic debate show a splintered field, while Tom Steyer’s anti-billionaire pitch and Matt Mahan’s moderate Silicon Valley lane sharpen the Democratic fight. In this episode: Top stories: 1. New poll shows the leading candidates in the Calif. governor's race — SFGATE https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/california-poll-governor-race-debate-22230776.php 2. California candidates for governor tangle in messy TV debate with mail ballots about to go out — MICHAEL R. BLOOD and SOPHIE AUSTIN - Associated Press https://www.wfmz.com/news/ap/ap-national/california-candidates-for-governor-tangle-in-messy-tv-debate-with-mail-ballots-about-to-go/article_2245b32f-76d9-5956-833c-caf146bf7a1e.html 3. Billionaire Tom Steyer wants to take on the rich in run for California governor — r/California (633 pts, 473 comments) https://www.reddit.com/r/California/comments/1sz39sk/billionaire_tom_steyer_wants_to_take_on_the_rich/ 4. PRIMARY ‘26: Mahan courts moderate voters, backed by Silicon Valley elite (with video) – City Times — David J. Bohnet https://sdcitytimes.com/news/2026/04/29/primary-26-mahan-courts-moderate-voters-backed-by-silicon-valley-elite-with-video/ Feedback? Email [email protected]

Xavier Becerra is turning Eric Swalwell’s collapse into momentum, rising in polls and adding Newsom-world operatives while Swalwell’s former donors seek refunds. The race is rapidly reorganizing around credibility, capacity and who can survive scrutiny before June. In this episode: Top stories: 1. Why Xavier Becerra is rising in the California governor’s race – KION Central Coast — CNN Newsource https://kioncentralcoast.com/politics/cnn-us-politics/2026/04/28/xavier-becerra-wants-to-talk-about-his-experience-so-do-his-rivals-for-california-governor/ 2. Eric Swalwell gubernatorial donors trying to get their money back — San Francisco Chronicle https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/eric-swalwell-donor-refunds-22228349.php 3. Xavier Becerra supercharges governor campaign with ‘Swiss Army knife’ Gavin Newsom aide - AOL — AOL https://www.aol.com/articles/xavier-becerra-supercharges-governor-campaign-151857274.html Feedback? Email [email protected]

Becerra is now the race’s gravitational center: newly flush with cash and endorsements, newly under attack, and facing fresh scrutiny over stolen campaign funds. Meanwhile, the field is hardening around back-to-back televised debates. In this episode: Top stories: 1. Becerra goes from bust to boom — Politico https://www.politico.com/newsletters/california-playbook/2026/04/27/becerra-goes-from-bust-to-boom-00892634 2. California Governor Hopefuls Face Off in Televised Debate — Californiacitynews https://www.californiacitynews.org/2026/04/california-governor-hopefuls-face-televised-debate.html 3. Here are the candidates who have qualified for CNN’s California governor’s debate — Kaanita Iyer, Jack Clifton https://www.cnn.com/politics/who-are-the-california-governor-candidates-cnn-debate 4. Xavier Becerra faces new questions around stolen campaign funds — KCRA https://www.kcra.com/article/xavier-becerra-new-questions-after-campaign-funds-stolen/71143407 5. Filipino Nurse Christine Sarmiento Joins California's 2026 Gubernatorial Race — Nurse https://nurse.org/news/nurse-sarmiento-california-governor/ Feedback? Email [email protected]

Xavier Becerra’s sudden momentum is pulling California’s governor race back toward experience, record, and scrutiny after decades in public office. The question now is whether familiarity helps him—or gives rivals more to target. In this episode: Top stories: 1. Becerra's surge in California governor race draws fresh attention to candidacy, long government record — Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-27/becerras-surge-california-governor-race-draws-attention-to-candidacy-long-government-record Feedback? Email [email protected]

Xavier Becerra is emerging as the Democratic pole sitter, buoyed by small-dollar donations and reproductive-rights backing, while California Democrats confront the familiar top-two nightmare: a fractured field that could lock them out. In this episode: Top stories: 1. Becerra gains momentum in California governor's race — Barnini Chakraborty https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/state/4541416/xavier-becerra-momentum-california-governor-race/ 2. Consolidate or Collapse? Planned Parenthood Backs Becerra as Democrats Face Primary Shutout Risk — Anne Howard - Reporter / Editor-in-chief https://www.scopeweekly.com/2026/04/consolidate-or-collapse-planned-parenthood-backs-becerra-as-democrats-face-primary-shutout-risk/ Feedback? Email [email protected]

Tom Steyer’s self-funded campaign is now the gravitational force in California’s governor race, forcing rivals to answer both his progressive housing agenda and the uncomfortable question of whether billionaire money can buy a Democratic lane. In this episode: Top stories: 1. Billionaire blitz: Steyer’s $132 million campaign dwarfs rivals in California governor race — CalMatters https://www.livermorevine.com/calmatters/2026/04/24/billionaire-blitz-steyers-132-million-campaign-dwarfs-rivals-in-california-governor-race/ 2. Did Anyone Break Through in The California Governor's Debate? — Kqed https://www.kqed.org/news/12081345/did-anyone-break-through-in-the-california-governors-debate Feedback? Email [email protected]

The California governor's race is heating up fast, and Wednesday's debate made clear that Tom Steyer is now the target everyone's aiming at. Rivals trained their attacks on the billionaire's hedge fund past — specifically investments in private prisons and oil — while Attorney General Xavier Becerra also took some heat over his mixed record on police accountability. The debate dynamic is telling: when candidates start throwing punches at you, it usually means you're leading or at least threatening to. But Steyer's bigger problem might be outside the debate hall. PG&E just launched a $10 million PAC specifically to take him out — a move that's generating serious buzz online and underscores how much the utility giant fears a Steyer governorship. Ironically, the corporate attack ad money could end up being a gift to Steyer, reinforcing his outsider-versus-entrenched-interests narrative. Meanwhile, Katie Porter picked up a notable endorsement from Congressman Robert Garcia, a signal that she's consolidating some of the progressive-but-institutionalist lane. Becerra's camp is claiming momentum and movement in the polls, though he'll need to answer persistent questions about his law enforcement record as the race tightens. On the Republican side, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco continued to raise eyebrows — this week dodging a direct question about whether he'd seize California primary ballots, which is exactly the kind of moment that plays well in a GOP primary and terribly everywhere else. Add to the mix Christine Sarmiento, a Filipino American public health nurse running as an independent on an affordability-and-accountability platform, and the field keeps growing. Independent candidates rarely break through in California statewide races, but her entry signals the breadth of voter dissatisfaction. The race is still wide open, but the next few weeks of fundraising disclosures and polling will tell us whether Steyer's money advantage can survive both debate-stage attacks and a well-funded utility behemoth coming for him. In this episode: Top stories: 1. Rivals Target Steyer, Becerra in Debate As California Governor Race Tightens — Kqed https://www.kqed.org/news/12080843/rivals-target-steyer-becerra-in-debate-as-california-governor-race-tightens 2. Fil-Am nurse launches bid for California governor — nrueda https://usa.inquirer.net/195242/fil-am-nurse-launches-bid-for-california-governor Notable reactions: 1. PG&E launches $10 million PAC to take out gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer — r/California (3033 pts, 687 comments) https://www.reddit.com/r/California/comments/1stki2p/pge_launches_10_million_pac_to_take_out/ 2. CONGRESSMAN ROBERT GARCIA ENDORSES KATIE PORTER FOR CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR | Katie Porter for Governor — r/California (185 pts, 137 comments) https://www.reddit.com/r/California/comments/1su5vey/congressman_robert_garcia_endorses_katie_porter/ 3. Can progressives trust California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to police the police? — r/California (433 pts, 546 comments) https://www.reddit.com/r/California/comments/1sttnzn/can_progressives_trust_california_attorney/ 4. Becerra sees momentum, money and movement in the polls in governor’s race — r/politics (9 pts, 14 comments) https://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/1stx7os/becerra_sees_momentum_money_and_movement_in_the/ 5. Republican Sheriff Dodges Question About Whether He Would Seize California Primary Ballots - Yahoo News Canada — X https://ca.news.yahoo.com/republican-sheriff-dodges-whether-seize-055956477.html Feedback? Email [email protected]

The California governor's race hit a genuine inflection point this week, with a debate Wednesday night forcing the question every voter and donor is quietly asking: can anyone actually catch Tom Steyer's money machine — and does money even matter here? Steyer has now poured a staggering $115 million of his personal fortune into the race, dwarfing his nearest rivals by a factor of 30. And yet, per a new Emerson College poll, he's trailing both Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco. That's the brutal irony of this cycle: the guy flooding the airwaves can't seem to buy a polling lead. IATSE's endorsement — Hollywood's biggest crew union, drawn in part by Steyer's production-incentive pitch — adds labor credibility, but it's a hard sell when your anti-billionaire message is underwritten by your own billions. Reddit noticed the tension immediately, with one thread pointing out Steyer citing Karl Marx while managing a hedge fund empire. Meanwhile, the candidate with actual momentum right now is Xavier Becerra. The former HHS Secretary was barely registering in the single digits until Eric Swalwell's exit reshuffled the board. Now he's racking up institutional firepower fast — Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas's endorsement is the kind of Sacramento-insider validation that signals the political establishment is starting to coalesce. The SF Chronicle's Joe Garofoli frames Wednesday's debate as a breakthrough opportunity for both Becerra and Kate Porter, each needing a defining moment to cut through Steyer's ad saturation. Porter, once considered a top-tier contender, is clearly struggling to find her footing post-Swalwell. The debate — streaming free on KTLA+ — may be her last best chance to remind California progressives why they were excited about her in the first place. The broader picture: this is a race with no dominant Democrat, two Republicans polling surprisingly well, and a billionaire spending at historic levels without consolidating support. Becerra's surge is real but still early. The next few weeks of polling after this debate will tell us whether this is finally crystallizing — or whether it stays scrambled all the way to the June primary. In this episode: Top stories: 1. Porter, Becerra seek breakthrough at California governor's race debate — Joe Garofoli https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/joegarofoli/article/porter-becerra-california-governor-22218445.php 2. IATSE Backs Tom Steyer in Race for California Governor ... - Variety — Gene Maddaus https://variety.com/2026/politics/news/iatse-tom-steyer-california-governor-endorsement-1236728164/ 3. Becerra sees momentum, money and movement in the polls in governor's race | News Pub — Press Room https://newspub.live/politics/becerra-sees-momentum-money-and-movement-in-the-polls-in-governors-race/ 4. California governor’s race remains wide open as Steyer pours $115M into campaign — Bakersfieldnow https://bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/california-governors-race-remains-wide-open-as-steyer-pours-115m-into-campaign 5. New Xavier Becerra endorsement: Top California lawmaker backs surging Democrat — Kron4 https://www.kron4.com/news/politics/inside-california-politics/california-assembly-speaker-endorses-xavier-becerra-for-governor/amp/ Notable reactions: 1. Running for California Governor, Tom Steyer Says Billionaires Like Him ‘Should Pay More Taxes’ — r/California (852 pts, 510 comments) https://www.reddit.com/r/California/comments/1sstegy/running_for_california_governor_tom_steyer_says/ 2. California governor debate set for Wednesday night: How to watch — r/California (139 pts, 23 comments) https://www.reddit.com/r/California/comments/1ssz39c/california_governor_debate_set_for_wednesday/ 3. Progressive Group Founded by Bernie Sanders Endorses Billionaire for California Governor — r/politics (11 pts, 43 comments) https://www.reddit.com/r/pol… Feedback? Email [email protected]

California's governor's race just got a lot clearer — and messier — in the span of 24 hours. Former State Controller Betty Yee has dropped out, citing the brutal reality of lagging polls and a fundraising deficit she couldn't overcome. But in a move that immediately reshuffled the board, Yee endorsed Tom Steyer on her way out the door, throwing her support behind the billionaire climate activist who has now poured a staggering $115 million of his own money into the race — roughly 30 times what his nearest Democratic rivals have spent. The problem for Steyer? Money isn't moving the needle the way you'd expect. A new Emerson College poll shows him trailing Republican candidates Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco despite the unprecedented self-funding blitz. It's the kind of data point that fuels the r/California crowd's gleeful mockery: 'Running for governor, says billionaires like him should pay more taxes.' Meanwhile, a Bernie Sanders-affiliated progressive group endorsed Steyer — a billionaire — which is exactly as awkward as it sounds and generated plenty of online chatter. The bigger story, though, is Xavier Becerra. The former U.S. Attorney General has been quietly building momentum since Eric Swalwell's scandal-driven exit cratered the Democratic establishment lane, and now the surge feels real. California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas has endorsed Becerra, joining a wave of Democratic lawmakers lining up behind him. His rising poll numbers suggest voters are responding to his federal experience and name recognition at a moment when California Democrats are anxious about competence and national standing. The Becerra question — as analyst Ed Kilgore frames it — is whether his surge saves California Democrats by giving them a credible, experienced standard-bearer, or whether it exposes just how thin the bench became after Swalwell's collapse. With Yee out, the Democratic primary is effectively shaping up as Steyer's money versus Becerra's momentum. Republicans Hilton and Bianco, meanwhile, are watching Democrats burn through resources and goodwill and quietly liking what they see. In this episode: Top stories: 1. Lagging in polls and fundraising, Betty Yee drops out of California governor’s race - Local News Matters — Jeanne Kuang, CalMatters https://localnewsmatters.org/2026/04/20/lagging-in-polls-and-fundraising-betty-yee-drops-out-of-california-governors-race/ 2. Former California controller Betty Yee drops out of governor's race | Fox News — Fox News https://www.foxnews.com/politics/another-democrat-exits-californias-crowded-gubernatorial-race-weeks-june-2-primary-election 3. California governor’s race remains wide open as Steyer pours $115M into campaign — Bakersfieldnow https://bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/california-governors-race-remains-wide-open-as-steyer-pours-115m-into-campaign 4. Will the Becerra Surge Save or Sink California Democrats? — Ed Kilgore https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/will-the-becerra-surge-save-or-sink-california-democrats.html 5. California democratic lawmakers rally behind Xavier Becerra for governor amid rising poll numbers | abc10.com — abc10.com https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/california-democratic-lawmakers-rally-behind-xavier-becerra-for-governor/103-a0fa1df7-9f2a-4040-aa9e-4687968bed1f Notable reactions: 1. Betty Yee backs Tom Steyer for governor after exiting race | abc10.com — X https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/betty-yee-backs-tom-steyer-for-governor-exiting-race/103-0acaaf02-9e6f-41b5-bf9d-3ee4d965519c 2. Progressive Group Founded by Bernie Sanders Endorses Billionaire for California Governor — r/politics (15 pts, 43 comments) https://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/1ss6km0/progressive_group_founded_by_bernie_sanders/ 3. California Assembly speaker endorses Xavier Becerra for governor - AOL — AOL https:… Feedback? Email [email protected]