LOS ANGELES — Six leading candidates for California governor will meet in a televised debate in Los Angeles on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. The participants are Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco and Democrats Katie Porter, Tom Steyer, Xavier Becerra and Matt Mahan.

Mail ballots will be sent to California voters early in May 2026 ahead of the June 2 primary election. Under state election rules, the top two vote-getters advance to the November election regardless of party. Democrats have expressed concern that a crowded primary could result in two Republicans advancing to the November election, a scenario that would be unprecedented in the state.

Becerra and Mahan were added to the debate lineup after U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell exited the race. Swalwell left the governor's contest and resigned from Congress following sexual assault allegations that he denies. Former California state controller Betty Yee withdrew from the race on Monday, April 20, 2026, and endorsed Steyer. Democratic Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas endorsed Becerra.

A Public Policy Institute of California poll conducted in late March and early April 2026, before Swalwell's withdrawal, found that Steyer, Porter, Hilton, Bianco and Swalwell were in close competition in the primary. The poll was conducted before Swalwell resigned from Congress and withdrew from the race.

Porter, a former U.S. representative, became a social media celebrity by brandishing a white board at congressional hearings while questioning corporate executives. Steyer is a hedge fund manager turned liberal activist who is known for his involvement in climate issues and ran an unsuccessful campaign for president in 2020. Becerra served as health secretary in the Biden administration, California Attorney General, a U.S. representative and a California state legislator. Mahan, the Mayor of San Jose, said his administration has made gains against homelessness and crime during his tenure and has run advertising to support his campaign.

California Democrats generally agree on policies to reduce household costs and counter President Donald Trump's agenda. Democrats have held a majority in California state government for years, and Republicans have not won a statewide election in the state in two decades.

Hilton, a conservative commentator, and Bianco, the Sheriff of Riverside County, plan to fault Sacramento's politics for contributing to the state's problems. Hilton has said that billions in spending have done little to slow the state's homeless crisis, that California has some of the nation's highest taxes, utility bills and gas prices, that heavy government regulation is driving away jobs and that soaring home prices are unaffordable for many families.