Steyer leads California primary as party signals election vulnerability
Steyer leads California primary while Democrats signal broader election vulnerability concerns.
Event / Politics
California Gubernatorial Primary 2026
Six candidates participated in California's gubernatorial debate on April 23, 2026, in San Francisco following Eric Swalwell's withdrawal. Four Democratic candidates—Tom Steyer, Xavier Becerra, Katie Porter, and Matt Mahan—and two Republican candidates—Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco—debated policies on gas taxes, housing, immigration, and homelessness. Mail ballots will be distributed May 4 for the June 2 primary, with the top two vote-getters advancing to November regardless of party. Polymarket odds showed Steyer leading at 36 percent, followed by Becerra at 31 percent.
2 reported locations
Daily activity
0 articles0 articles
2026-08-18 to 2026-11-15 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 24 Apr, 00:37 UTC
Follow the documented timeline or explore the related reporting.
What happened
Tom Steyer leads California governor race odds at 36 percent
According to Polymarket prediction market odds following the debate, billionaire Tom Steyer led with 36 percent odds to win the gubernatorial race, followed by Xavier Becerra at 31 percent, Matt Mahan at 9 percent, Katie Porter at 6 percent, Steve Hilton at 6 percent, and Chad Bianco at 5 percent.
Xavier Becerra confuses Iraq and Iran during gubernatorial debate
During the debate, former Biden administration Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra made a notable gaffe when responding to a question related to gas prices, incorrectly suggesting that President Trump had recently initiated a war with Iraq instead of Iran.
Debate candidates assess Governor Newsom's homelessness record
During the debate, candidates offered divergent assessments of Governor Gavin Newsom's handling of California's homelessness crisis. Katie Porter gave Newsom a 'B' grade, crediting focus on housing as the root cause. Tom Steyer gave a 'B minus,' stating 'No one gets well on the street.' Xavier Becerra gave an 'A' for effort and appeared likely to gain support from Newsom's political operatives. Steve Hilton gave an 'F,' criticizing the state's approach.
Candidates clash over racial profiling in California Highway Patrol traffic stop
During the debate, candidates responded to a controversial video showing a California Highway Patrol officer administering an English proficiency test to a truck driver at a roadside stop. Xavier Becerra raised concerns about racial profiling based on appearance, Chad Bianco dismissed the racial profiling concern stating 'You either violated the law or you didn't,' Katie Porter said racism 'is something that you fight,' Steve Hilton criticized having drivers on roads who cannot understand English, and Tom Steyer stated that racial profiling is illegal.
Eric Swalwell suspends California gubernatorial campaign
Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell suspended his California gubernatorial campaign and resigned from Congress after facing accusations of sexual assault, which he has denied. His exit prompted a significant reset in the race less than a month before early voting was set to begin for the June 2 primary.
California governor debate held with six candidates
Six candidates participated in a televised gubernatorial debate hosted by KRON TV (Nexstar) in San Francisco on Wednesday night. Participants included four Democrats—Tom Steyer, Xavier Becerra, Katie Porter, and Matt Mahan—and two Republicans—Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco. The debate lasted 90 minutes and covered issues including housing, wildfire insurance, gas taxes, and immigration.
Matt Mahan criticizes Tom Steyer's private prison and ICE detention investments
During the debate, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan attacked billionaire Tom Steyer's past business dealings, stating 'The only housing Tom Steyer's built has been private prisons and ICE detention centers,' referencing Steyer's hedge fund investments in facilities that house people detained in federal immigration raids.
California mail ballots distribution begins May 4 for June 2 primary
Mail ballots for the California gubernatorial primary will be distributed to voters starting May 4, with the primary election scheduled for June 2. California's electoral system allows all candidates regardless of party affiliation to appear on the same ballot, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the November general election regardless of party.
California Democratic Party warns of Republican breakthrough risk
The California Democratic Party warned that polling conducted after Swalwell's exit from the race showed the possibility that both top vote-getters could be Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco, which would lock Democrats out of the November general election. The party called on every candidate to honestly assess their path to win.
Debate candidates divided on California gas tax policy
The six gubernatorial candidates expressed conflicting positions on California's gas tax during the debate. Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer defended it for funding infrastructure, with Steyer also proposing a mileage tax. Katie Porter linked gas prices to climate policy, Matt Mahan called for temporary suspension and reform, Steve Hilton vowed to slash the tax and boost in-state oil production, and Chad Bianco pushed for complete elimination.
Betty Yee suspends California gubernatorial campaign
Betty Yee, a former California state controller, suspended her gubernatorial campaign on Monday, further thinning the Democratic field in the race to replace outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom.
CNN to host California gubernatorial debate on May 5
CNN announced it will host the next gubernatorial debate on May 5, providing another opportunity for candidates to address voters before the June 2 primary election.
Tom Steyer touts tax policies targeting billionaires and corporations
During the debate, billionaire Tom Steyer stated he is 'the billionaire who wants to tax other billionaires,' 'the billionaire who's taking on the electric monopoly,' and 'the billionaire who wants to tax the oil companies and make polluters pay,' positioning himself as a change agent against corporate interests.
Read the coverage
2 alternative perspectives
Six candidates spar on taxes, homelessness, and policing in California debate
Six candidates debated California governance, dividing on taxes, homelessness, and police accountability.