California Governor Gavin Newsom will not seek reelection in 2026, as he reaches his constitutional term limit after serving two consecutive terms as the state's chief executive.
Newsom, who first took office in 2018 after defeating Republican John Cox, went on to win his second term in 2022. Under California law, governors can only serve two consecutive four-year terms, meaning Newsom's tenure will conclude in early January 2027.
The race to replace Newsom is already attracting prominent candidates. Several Democrats have officially announced their campaigns, including former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, and former Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins. Other declared candidates include former State Controller Betty Yee, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, and businessman Stephen Cloobeck.
Additional potential contenders weighing their options include Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. On the Republican side, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco is considering entering the race.
California's gubernatorial term limits were not always in place. Former Governor Jerry Brown served two separate sets of terms - from 1975 to 1983 and again from 2011 to 2019 - because his initial terms predated the implementation of term limits.
The 2026 California gubernatorial election will be part of a broader cycle of state leadership changes, as voters in various states select their next governors. The winner will take office in early 2027, marking the end of Newsom's eight years as California's governor.