Elections

A few moments of controversy have touched an otherwise sleepy, wide open race to be California’s next governor.

The recent retirements of Nancy Pelosi and other longtime House Democrats have led to more calls for aging members to pass the torch. Incumbents argue their experience is crucial as the executive branch is upending the balance of power in Washington.

The seven-term congressmember is running on protecting Californians from the Trump administration and from rising prices. While he’s developed a reputation as a professional GOP antagonist, the challenge will be proving he has what it takes to deliver on the elusive affordability promise.

Liberal billionaire Tom Steyer raised his profile as a foe to President Donald Trump when he spent $13 million on ads touting Proposition 50. Now, Steyer is jumping in the 2026 California governor's race.

McGuire, who terms out of the Legislature next year, hopes to capitalize on Democrats’ new voter registration advantage in LaMalfa’s post-Prop. 50 district to flip a congressional seat from red to blue. His launch video appears to preemptively address the criticism that he’s out of touch with rural Californians.

In recent years, California Republicans wielded far more influence in Congress than in the state Legislature, thanks to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. But since his ouster, and now under Prop. 50 maps, the GOP is increasingly isolated.

Her retirement, which comes amid Democrats’ cries for a new generation of leadership, sets the stage for a showdown between a progressive challenger and a well-known moderate state senator.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has been looking for a way to win national attention. Proposition 50 puts him “light-years ahead.”

California voters passed Gov. Gavin Newsom's Proposition 50, which will tilt the state's congressional districts toward Democrats in the 2026 election. Now comes the scramble: Who runs where?

California voters backed Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to redraw congressional districts in favor of Democrats. It was a big night for him in his rivalry with President Donald Trump.