Newsom Declines Endorsement in 2026 California Gubernatorial Race

Incumbent Governor Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited and cannot run again, announced publicly that he will not endorse any candidate in the June 2 primary for his successor. He framed the decision as a strategic effort to keep a Democratic candidate on the November ballot under California’s top-two primary system, which advances the two highest vote-getters regardless of party.

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California’s “top-two” primary has historically raised Democratic concerns that two Republicans could advance, potentially ending the party’s legislative and executive supermajority. With Republican contenders Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco leading early polls, Democratic leaders have intensified behind-the-scenes coordination to avoid a lockout.

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• Gavin Newsom – Outgoing governor, non-endorsement stance.

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• Xavier Becerra – Former U.S. HHS secretary, leading Democratic candidate.

Sacramento Bee

• Tom Steyer – Billionaire climate activist, Democratic contender.

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• Steve Hilton – Republican candidate, early poll leader.

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• Chad Bianco – Riverside County sheriff, Republican contender.

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• Nancy Pelosi, Alex Padilla, Adam Schiff – Senior Democrats who also declined endorsements.

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• Rusty Hicks – Chair, California Democratic Party.

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• Hector Barajas – Communications director for Steve Hilton.

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• Bill Bloomfield – Businessman donor to the “Greater Golden State” effort.

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• California Service Employees International Union (SEIU) – Major labor donor.

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• Greater Golden State – Independent-expenditure group backed by the Democratic Governors Association, also listed as “Hilton for Governor 2026.”

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• Recent CADEM and Matt Mahan polls show Xavier Becerra tied with Steve Hilton at roughly 20 % support each; Chad Bianco at 14 %; Tom Steyer at 12 %.

Sacramento Bee

• The “Greater Golden State” group has raised $1 million from Bill Bloomfield and $250,000 from the California SEIU.

CNN

• Seven Democratic candidates and two Republican candidates appear on the primary ballot.

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Newsom emphasized that his priority is “to do everything possible to prevent a lockout of a Democrat candidate,” echoing a broader Democratic Party goal of fielding a strong nominee for November. Party chair Rusty Hicks reiterated that the organization “is not trying to force a specific candidate outcome” but seeks to ensure a Democratic presence in the general election. Xavier Becerra’s spokesperson, Jonathan Underland, praised Newsom’s focus on delivering services to Californians and affirmed that the “Republican lockout stays in the realm of bad fiction.” Nancy Pelosi’s office confirmed no endorsement plans, mirroring the stance of other senior Democrats.

Sacramento Bee

Steve Hilton’s communications director, Hector Barajas, accused the Democratic establishment of “trying to put its thumb on the scale,” suggesting the independent-expenditure money could be used against a Democrat to create a clear favorite. The same source hinted that the “Greater Golden State” funding might be directed at intra-party battles rather than solely at Republican opponents.

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Polling data differ slightly: the CADEM survey reports Becerra “jumped into a tie for first” with Hilton, while the Matt Mahan poll lists both at 20 % but also includes a separate 12 % figure for Steyer. No public breakdown exists on how the $1.25 million raised by “Greater Golden State” will be allocated across specific campaign activities.

Sacramento Bee

• “People are not passive in terms of watching it happen,” — Gavin Newsom, Governor of California

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• “This is once again the party establishment that has controlled CA for the last 16 years that is trying to put its thumb on the scale,” — Hector Barajas, Communications Director for Steve Hilton

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• “I‘m focused on diapers,” — Gavin Newsom, Governor of California

Sacramento Bee

• “The party is not trying to force a specific candidate outcome,” — Rusty Hicks, Chair, California Democratic Party

CNN

• “ “Governor Newsom is absolutely right to stay focused on delivering for Californians.” — Jonathan Underland, Spokesperson for Xavier Becerra

Sacramento Bee

• “It is a work in progress governing. There is no having ‘made it.’ Success is not a place or definition, it’s a direction,” — Gavin Newsom, Governor of California

CNN

The June 2 primary will determine the two candidates advancing to the November ballot. Democratic strategists plan to continue funding “Greater Golden State” and other turnout initiatives to safeguard against a potential Republican lockout. The final general-election matchup will hinge on whether the top-two system yields a Democratic–Republican pair or a rare all-Republican contest.

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