California Candidate & Election Guide
Federal and statewide candidates, elections, state political parties, news sites, and other resources — no frills, just what you need — curated by Politics1 publisher Ron Gunzburger.
Governor
GOVERNOR:
[ Gavin Newsom (D)* - Term-Limited in 2026. ]
Xavier Becerra (D) - Ex-US Health Secretary, Ex-Attorney General & Ex-Congressman
Chad Bianco (R) - Riverside County Sheriff
Steve Hilton (R) - Policy Analyst, Political Consulant & Conservative Activist
Tom Steyer (D) - Invester, Hedge Fund Manager, Enivronmental Activist & '20 Pres Candidate
Next State Constitutional Officer Elections in 2026.
Lieutenant Governor
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR:
[ Eleni Kounalakis (D)* - Candidate for State Treasurer in 2026. ]
Josh Fryday (D) - Ex-Novato Mayor, Ex-California Volunteers CEO, Attorney & Navy Veteran
Fiona Ma (D) - State Treasurer, Ex-Equalization Member & Ex-State Assemblywoman
Gloria Romero (R) - Ex-State Senate Majority Leader, Ex-Assemblywoman & Psychologist
Secretary of State
Shirley Weber (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Don Wagner (R) - Orange County Supervisor, Ex-State Assemblyman & Ex-Irvine Mayor
State Controller
State Treasurer
[ Fiona Ma (D)* - Candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 2026. ]
Jennifer Hawks (R) - Retired Businesswoman
Eleni Kounalakis (D) - Lt Governor, Ex-US Ambassador & Businesswoman
Attorney General
Rob Bonta (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Michael Gates (R) - Ex-Huntington Beach City Attorney & Ex-Depy Asst US Attorney General
Insurance Commissioner
[ Ricardo Lara (D)* - Term-Limited in 2026. ]
Ben Allen (D) - State Sen., Ex-Santa Monica School Board Member & Attorney
Jane Kim (D) - Ex-San Francisco Supervisor, Attorney & Progressive Activist
Stacy Korsgaden (R) - Financial Advisor & Insurance Agency Owner
Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI)
(Note: Superintendent is a Non-Partisan Positition)
[ Tony Thurmond (D)* - Lost primary for Governor in 2026. ]
Richard Barrera (D) - San Diego School Board President & Labor Organizer
Sonja Shaw (R) - Chino Valley Unified School Board President
STATE LEGISLATURE
State Assembly - (Democratic Caucus - Republican Caucus)
State Senate - (Democratic Caucus - Republican Caucus)
U.S. Senator
SENATE ELECTION 2028:
Alex Padilla (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Gabriel Juarez (D)
Sarah Liew (R) - Businesswoman, Pastor & Frequent Candidate
SENATE ELECTION 2030:
Adam Schiff (D)* - (Campaign Site)
U.S. House (Districts)
District 1
James Gallagher (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Mike McGuire (D) - State Senate President, Ex-Sonoma Co Supervisor & Ex-Healdsburg Mayor
District 2
Jared Huffman (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Robin Littau (R) - Enterprise School Board Member, Businesswoman & USCG Veteran
District 3
[ Kevin Kiley (I)* - Candidate in CD-6 in 2026.]
Ami Bera (D)* - Current CD-6 Incumbent - (Campaign Site)
Robb Tucker (R) - Nevada County Supervisor & Businessman
District 4
Mike Thompson (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Eric Jones (D) - Venture Capitalist
Ray Riehle (R) - Businessman, '24 Candidate & '22 Assembly Candidate
DISTRICT 5
District 6
[ Ami Bera (D)* - Candidate in CD-3 in 2026. ]
Kevin Kiley (NPP)* - Current CD-3 Incumbent - (Campaign Site)
Richard Pan (D) - Ex-State Sen. & Physician
Michael Stansfield (R) - Applications Engineer & Pro-Palestinian Activist
District 7
Doris Matsui (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Mai Vang (D) - Sacramento City Councilwoman & Ex-Sacramento School Board Member
Zachariah Wooden (R) - College Student
District 8
John Garamendi (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Rudy Recile (R) - Businessman, Retired Army Officer, MAGA Activist & '22/'24 Candidate
District 9
Josh Harder (D)* - (Campaign Site)
John McBride (R) - Strength/Conditioning Coach & '24 Candidate
District 10
Mark DeSaulnier (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Jeff Frese (R) - Businessman
Katherine Piccinini (R) - Property Manager, GOP Activist & '22/'24 Candidate
District 11
[ Nancy Pelosi (D)* - Retiring in 2026. ]
Connie Chan (D) - San Francisco Supervisor & Ex-Legislative Aide
Scott Wiener (D) - State Sen., Ex-San Francisco Supervisor & Attorney
District 12
Lateefah Simon (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Jamie Joyce (D) - Ontological Engineer & Nonprofit Executive
District 13
Adam Gray (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Kevin Lincoln (R) - Ex-Stockton Mayor, Pastor, USAF/USMC Veteran & '24 Candidate
District 14
Filing: April 23, 2026 - Primary: June 16, 2026 - General: August 18, 2026
[ Eric Swalwell (D)* - Resigned April 14, 2026. ]
Alisha Cordes (D) - Business Administrator
Melissa Hernandez (D) - BART Board Member & Ex-Dublin Mayor
Wendy Huang (R) - Businesswoman, GOP Activist & '24 City Council Candidate
Dena Maldonado (R) - Businesswoman
Sheriene Ridenour (D) - Administrative Law Judge
Rakhi Israni Singh (D) - Attorney
Jot Thiara (R) - Ex-Live Oak City Councilman, Farmer & Ex-Substitute Teacher
Aisha Wahab (D) - State Sen., Ex-Hayward City Councilwoman & Ex-Community Organizer
Tom Wong (R) - Businessman & '22 Candidate
Jack Wu (R) - Eductor
Victor Zevallos (NPP) - Business Consultant
DISTRICT 14 - REGULAR TERM:
[ Eric Swalwell (D)* - Resigned April 14, 2026. ]
Melissa Hernandez (D) - BART Board Member & Ex-Dublin Mayor
Wendy Huang (R) - Businesswoman, GOP Activist & '24 City Council Candidate
Dena Maldonado (R) - Businesswoman
Aisha Wahab (D) - State Sen., Ex-Hayward City Councilwoman & Ex-Community Organizer
District 15
District 16
Sam Liccardo (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Kevin Johnson (R) - Law Student
Peter Soule (R) - Retired Businessman & GOP Activist
District 17
Ro Khanna (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Ritesh Tandon (R) - Businessman, Computer Engineer & Frequent Candidate
District 18
Zoe Lofgren (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Shane Lewis (R) - Electrical Test Engineer & '24 School Board Candidate
District 19
Jimmy Panetta (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Peter Verbica (R) - Financial Planner & '22 Equalization Board Candidate
District 20
Vince Fong (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Sandra Van Scotter (D) - Disability Community Advocate
District 21
DISTRICT 22
David Valadao (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Jasmeet Bains (D) - State Assemblywoman & Physician
Randy Villegas (D) - Visalia School Board Trustee & College Professor
District 23
District 24
Salud Carbajal (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Bob Smith (R) - Defense Systems Engineer & Navy Veteran
District 25
Raul Ruiz (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Joe Males (R) - Hemet City Councilman, Businessman & USMC Veteran
District 26
[ Julia Brownley (D)* - Retiring in 2026. ]
Sam Gallucci (R) - Pastor, Software Developer & '21 Gov Candidate
Jacqui Irwin (D) - State Assemblywoman, Ex-Thousand Oaks Mayor & Engineer
District 27
George Whitesides (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Jason Gibbs (R) - Santa Clarita Councilman & Mechanical Engineer
District 28
Judy Chu (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Peter Roybal (D) - Businessman
April Verlato (R) - Ex-Arcadia Mayor, Attorney & '24 Candidate
District 29
Luz Rivas (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Angelica Duenas (D) - HR Professional, Peace Activist & Frequent Candidate
Rudy Melendez (R) - Laborer, Artist & Frequent Candidate
District 30
District 31
Gil Cisneros (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Eric Ching (R) - Ex-Walnut Mayor, Businessman & '22/'24 Candidate
District 32
Brad Sherman (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Larry Thompson (R) - Attorney, Talent Manager & '20/'24 Candidate
District 33
Pete Aguilar (D)* - (House Democratic Caucus Chair Site) - (Campaign Site)
Stephanie Vargas (R) - Colton Chief Deputy City Clerk
District 34
Jimmy Gomez (D)* - (Campaign Site)ist
Angela Gonzales-Torres (D) - Ex-Highland Park Neighborhood Councilwoman & Anthropologist
District 35
Norma Torres (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Mike Cargile (R) - Independent Filmmaker, Army Veteran & Frequent Candidate
District 36
Ted Lieu (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Houston Brignano (R) - Tech Executive & Iraq War Veteran
Melissa Toomim (R) - Businesswoman, Actress, Writer, MAGA Activist & '22/'24 Candidate
District 37
Sydney Kamlager (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Ryan Duckett (D) - Attorney & Community Activist
Baltazar Fedalizo (R) - Businessman, Navy Veteran & '22/'24 Candidate
Samantha Mota (D) - Community Activist & '22 City Council Candidate
District 38
[ Linda Sanchez (D)* - Candidate in CD-41 in 2026. ]
Pedro Casas (R) - Psychologist & Retired Army Colonel
Hilda Solis (D) - L.A. County Supervisor, Ex-US Labor Secretary & Ex-Congresswoman
DISTRICT 39
Mark Takano (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Steve Manos (R) - Lake Elsinore City Councilman & Realtor
District 40
Young Kim (R)* - Current CD-40 Incumbent - (Campaign Site)
Ken Calvert (R)* - Current CD-41 Incumbent - (Campaign Site)
District 41
[ Ken Calvert (R)* - Candidate in CD-40 in 2026. ]
Linda Sanchez (D)* - Current CD-38 Incumbent - (Campaign Site)
Mitch Clemmons (R) - Plumbing Contractor
District 42
Robert Garcia (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Brian Burley (R) - IT Consultant, GOP Activist & Frequent Candidate
Noah von Blom (R) - Newport Beach City Councilman, Restaurant Owner & Chef
District 43
Maxine Waters (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Christian Morales (R) - Manufacturing Executive & '22 Gov Candidate
District 44
Nanette Barragan (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Genevieve Angel (R) - Family Nurse Practitioner
District 45
Derek Tran (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Chuong Vo (R) - Cerritos Councilman, Ex-Cerritos Mayor & Retired Police Officer
District 46
Lou Correa (D)* - (Campaign Site)
David Pan (R) - College Professor, Management Consultant & '24 Candidate
District 47
Dave Min (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Jenny Rae LeRoux (R) - Management Consultant & '21/'22 Gov Candidate
District 48
[ Darrell Issa (R)* - Retiring in 2026. ]
Jim Desmond (R) - San Diego County Supervisor, Retired Airline Pilot & Navy Veteran
Marni von Wilpert (D) - San Diego City Councilwoman & Attorney
District 49
District 50
District 51
District 52
Juan Vargas (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Jeff Belle (R) - Investment Executive & Ex-Congressional Aide
Political Parties
American Independent Party (AIP)
American Solidarity Party (ASP)
California National Party (CNP)
Common Sense Party (CS) - Forward Party state affiliate
Constitution Party of California (C)
California Democratic Party (D)
Green Party of California (G)
Libertarian Party of California (L)
Peace & Freedom Party (PFP)
Reform Party (REF)
California Republican Party (R)
Socialist Party of California (S)
Socialist Workers Party (SWP)
Unity Party of California (UP)
Working Class Party (WCP)
Independent / No Party Preference (NPP)
Write-In Candidate (WI)
State Election Office
State News Sources
Agoura Hills Acorn
Antelope Valley Press
Asian Journal
Bakersfield Californian
Bakerfield El Popular (Spanish)
Berkeleyside
Beverly Hills Weekly
Black Voice News
California Post
California Voter Foundation
CalMatters
Davis Enterprise
East Bay Times
East Bay Express (Alternative)
El Tecolte (Spanish)
Eureka Times-Standard
Excelsior California (Spanish)
FlashReport.org (Conservative)
Hispanos Unidos San Diego
Inland Empire Community News
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Inland Valley News (African American)
La Opinion (Spanish)
Latino Times
Lompoc Record
Long Beach Press-Telegram
Los Angeles Blade (LGBT)
Los Angeles Daily Breeze
Los Angeles Daily News
LAist (Alternative)
Los Angeles Magazine
Los Angeles Sentinel (African American)
Los Angeles Times
LA Weekly (Alternative)
Modesto Bee
Nevada City Union
The Oaklandside
Orange County Register
Orange County Weekly (Alternative)
Palm Springs Desert Sun
Pasadena Star-News
Placerville Mountain Democrat
The Pride LA (LGBT)
Redlands Daily Facts
Ridgecrest Daily Independent
Riverside Press-Enterprise
Rough & Tumble (Politics)
Sacramento Bee
Sacramento Observer (African American)
Salinas Californian
San Bernadino County Sun
Axios San Diego
San Diego Daily Transcript
San Diego iNewsource
San Diego Union Tribune
Voice of San Diego
Axios San Francisco
San Francisco Bay Area Reporter (LGBT)
San Francisco Bay Guardian (Alternative)
San Francisco Mission Local
San Francisco Bay View (African American)
SFGate
San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco Standard
San Gabriel Valley Tribune
San Joaquin Valley Sun
San Jose Inside
San Jose Mercury News
San Jose Spotlight
San Luis Obispo Tribune
Santa Barbara News-Press
Santa Rosa Press-Democrat
Siskiyou Daily News
Solano County Daily Republic
Sonoma Index-Tribune
Stockton Record
Tahoe Sierra Sun
Torrance Daily Breeze
Vacaville Reporter
Valley Center Roadrunner
Ventura County Star
Whittier Daily News
Wind Newspaper (Chinese)
KCBS TV-2 (CBS - Los Angeles)
KNBC TV-4 (NBC - Los Angeles)
KABC TV-7 (ABC - Los Angeles)
KTTV TV-11 (FOX - Los Angeles)
KMEX TV-34 (Univision - Los Angeles)
KVEA TV-52 (Telemundo - Los Angeles)
KQED TV-9 / Public Radio (PBS / NPR - San Francisco)
Northern California Public Media
KPPC Public Radio (NPR)
CapRadio (NPR)