California · 2026 Midterms

What's on your California ballot

A clear, nonpartisan rundown of the candidates and races California voters will decide in the 2026 midterms, with where each candidate stands and how competitive the race is.

Open the interactive guide → Updated October 2026

Governor

Becerra vs HiltonProjected winner

November general election. Open seat; Gov. Newsom is term-limited. Top-two primary (June 2) sent these two to the general.

Xavier Becerra Democrat

Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services; former California Attorney General

Heavy favoriterating
  • HousingBuild more housing; declare a state of emergency to freeze utility and insurance rates
  • HealthcareExpand access; ran the federal COVID-19 vaccine rollout as HHS Secretary
  • EconomyOpen to revising state climate goals to keep fuel affordable for middle-class Californians
  • ImmigrationDefended immigrants' rights; led California's lawsuits against the first Trump administration
  • AbortionDefends reproductive rights
versus
Steve Hilton Republican

Former Fox News host; former adviser to UK PM David Cameron

Underdograting · No Republican has won a California statewide race since 2006
  • EconomyCut income taxes for middle-class and higher earners; slash spending and regulation; affordability ('Califordable')
  • EnergyLower gas prices by suspending some environmental regulations
  • HousingOpen some natural spaces for housing, especially suburban single-family homes
  • ImmigrationWork more closely with the Trump administration; use narrow collaboration provisions in the sanctuary law
  • GovernmentEnd one-party Democratic rule in California

Attorney General

Bonta vs GatesProjected winner

November general election. Top-two primary (June 2) advanced these two.

Rob Bonta Democrat

Incumbent California Attorney General since 2021

Heavy favoriterating · Safe D; won 2022 by ~44 pts
  • GovernmentUsed the office to file dozens of lawsuits against the Trump administration
  • AbortionDefends reproductive rights and access in California
  • ImmigrationDefends California's sanctuary protections
  • EconomyConsumer protection and antitrust enforcement
versus
Michael Gates Republican

Former Huntington Beach city attorney; former deputy U.S. Attorney

Underdograting · Safe D
  • GovernmentChallenge state policies he views as overreach; tougher on crime enforcement
  • ImmigrationGreater cooperation with federal immigration enforcement
  • EconomyReduce regulation

Secretary of State

Weber vs WagnerProjected winner

November general election.

Shirley Weber Democrat

Incumbent Secretary of State

Heavy favoriterating · Safe D
  • DemocracyExpand voter access and election security
  • GovernmentOversee fair, transparent elections
versus
Don Wagner Republican

Orange County Supervisor

Underdograting · Safe D
  • GovernmentElection integrity focus, reduce bureaucracy

State Controller

Cohen vs MorganProjected winner

November general election.

Malia Cohen Democrat

Incumbent State Controller

Heavy favoriterating · Safe D
  • EconomyState fiscal oversight and transparency
  • GovernmentAudit state spending
versus
Herb Morgan Republican

Businessman

Underdograting · Safe D
  • EconomyCut state spending, fiscal restraint

State Treasurer

Kounalakis vs HawksProjected winner

Open seat; Treasurer Fiona Ma is running for lieutenant governor. Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and businesswoman Jennifer Hawks advanced from the June 2 top-two primary.

Eleni Kounalakis Democrat

Lieutenant Governor of California since 2019; former U.S. ambassador to Hungary

Heavy favoriterating · Advanced from June 2 primary (CalMatters)
versus
Jennifer Hawks Republican

Retired businesswoman

Underdograting · Advanced from June 2 primary (CalMatters)

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Barrera vs ShawCompetitive

November general election. This office is nonpartisan.

Richard Barrera Nonpartisan

San Diego school board member; backed by the California Teachers Association

Competitiverating · Open nonpartisan seat
  • EducationInvest in public schools, support teachers
  • GovernmentExpand student support services
versus
Sonja Shaw Nonpartisan

Former Chino Valley Unified school board president

Competitiverating · Open nonpartisan seat
  • EducationParental rights, school choice, curriculum transparency

Insurance Commissioner

Kim vs AllenToo close to call

Open seat; Commissioner Ricardo Lara is term-limited. For the first time since the office became elected, two Democrats face off in November after the June 2 top-two primary.

Jane Kim Democrat

Former San Francisco supervisor; California Working Families Party director

Toss-uprating · Advanced from June 2 primary (CalMatters)
  • InsuranceCreate 'Natural Disaster Insurance for All,' a state-run fund guaranteeing wildfire and flood coverage
  • Consumer protectionFreeze rates after claims; bar insurers from dropping coverage for filing a claim
  • TransparencyPublic dashboards on how insurers spend premiums and handle claims
versus
Ben Allen Democrat

State senator since 2014, environmental policy leader

Toss-uprating · Advanced from June 2 primary (CalMatters)
  • InsuranceStabilize the market by modernizing the rate-setting process
  • Consumer protectionMove people off the FAIR Plan back onto traditional property insurance
  • TransparencyAppoint a consumer advocate; reveal insurers' fossil-fuel investments

Not on the 2026 ballot

Neither of California's two U.S. Senate seats is up for election in 2026. Its next regular Senate election is in 2028, unless a special election is called.

Ballot Measure

ACA 13, Voting Thresholds

Would require future ballot measures that seek to raise voter-approval thresholds to themselves pass by that same higher threshold.

If YES

A measure proposing a new supermajority requirement would have to pass by that same supermajority.

If NO

Keeps the current rules, where such measures can pass by simple majority.

Ballot Measure

SCA 1, Recall of State Officers

Constitutional amendment changing the recall process for state officers, including eliminating the simultaneous successor election.

If YES

Changes recall procedure so a separate replacement candidate is not chosen on the same ballot; a vacancy would be filled under existing succession rules.

If NO

Keeps the current recall process, including the simultaneous election of a potential successor.

Ballot Measure

SB 42, California Fair Elections Act of 2026

Would authorize public financing for state and local political campaigns under the Political Reform Act.

If YES

Allows public campaign financing programs for state and local candidates.

If NO

Maintains the current prohibition/limits on public campaign financing.

This page is a research starting point, not an endorsement. Ballot Awareness is not affiliated with any candidate, party, or government body. Candidate and primary results are verified against Ballotpedia, the NBC News 2026 election results, and the Associated Press. Race ratings are editorial assessments based on public race ratings (such as the Cook Political Report) and polling, not predictions. Always verify with your official California election information before voting.

We review and update this guide on a rolling basis, generally at least once every seven days, and more often as results are certified or candidates change. Information can still become out of date between updates, and errors are possible, so please do your own research and confirm the details on your ballot with your state or county election office.

Questions or corrections: ballotawareness@gmail.com

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