Republican Jon Slavet announced on Thursday he will join a crowded field of hopefuls aiming to become California’s next governor.

Why It Matters

California, the nation's most populous state, is reliably Democratic. It hasn't elected a Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger served between 2003 and 2011.

A Republican candidate, Chad Bianco, is currently in the lead ahead of California's gubernatorial primary election in 2026 on 13 percent of the vote, a new poll has found. He is followed by Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Eric Swalwell on 12 percent each, and Democrat Katie Porter on 11 percent.

What To Know

California will elect a new governor in November 2026 during the midterm elections because Gavin Newsom , a Democrat who has served in the role since 2019, is te

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