2026 California lieutenant gubernatorial election
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November 3, 2026
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The 2026 California lieutenant gubernatorial election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the lieutenant governor of California. Incumbent Democrat Eleni Kounalakis is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third term in office; she is instead running for state treasurer.[1] Candidates must declare by March 6 with primaries being held on June 2.[2]
Candidates
Democratic Party
Declared
- Josh Fryday, chief service officer for governor Gavin Newsom and former mayor of Novato[3]
- Janelle Kellman, former mayor of Sausalito and founder of The Center for Sea Rise Solutions[4]
- Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer (2019–present) (previously ran for governor)[5]
- Oliver Ma, civil rights attorney, immigrant and tenant rights advocate[6]
- Tim Myers, musician and record producer (previously ran for CA-41)[7]
- Michael Tubbs, former mayor of Stockton (2017–2021)[8]
Filed paperwork
- Mike Schaefer, member of the California State Board of Equalization (2019–present) and perennial candidate[9]
Withdrawn
- Steven Bradford, former state senator from the 35th district (2016–2024) (endorsed Fiona Ma, running for insurance commissioner)[10]
Republican Party
Declared
- David Fennell, entrepreneur and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2018 and 2022[11]
- Gloria Romero, former majority leader of the California Senate (2005–2008) from the 24th district (2001–2010)[12]
Filed paperwork
- Brian Dahle, former member of the California State Senate from the 1st district and nominee for governor of California in 2022[13]
Withdrawn
- David Serpa, businessman and runner-up for California's 39th congressional district in 2024 (ran for governor)[14][15]
Primary election
Endorsements
Josh Fryday (D)
- Executive branch officials
- Pete Buttigieg, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation (2021–2025)[16]
- U.S. senators
- Barbara Boxer, former U.S. senator from California (1993–2017)[17]
- U.S. representatives
- Jared Huffman, CA-02 (2013–present)[18]
- State legislators
- Jesse Gabriel, AD-46 (2018–present)[19]
- Chris Rogers, AD-02 (2024–present)[19]
- Labor unions
- California Federation of Teachers (co-endorsement with Fiona Ma)[20]
- California Teachers Association[20]
- Organizations
Janelle Kellman (D)
- Organizations
- East Area Progressive Democrats[22]
- LPAC[23]
Fiona Ma (D)
- Statewide officials
- Eleni Kounalakis, lieutenant governor of California (2019–present)[24]
- State legislators
- Steven Bradford, SD-35 (2016–2024)[10]
- Cathleen Galgiani, SD-05 (2012–2020)[25]
- Scott Wiener, SD-11 (2016–present)[25]
- Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, AD-04 (2016–present)[26]
- Robert Garcia, AD-50 (2024–present)[26]
- Mark Gonzalez, AD-54 (2024–present)[26]
- Corey Jackson, AD-60 (2022–present)[23]
- Evan Low, AD-26 (2014–2024)[25]
- José Solache, AD-62 (2024–present)[23]
- Chris Ward, AD-78 (2020–present)[23]
- Rick Zbur, AD-51 (2022–present)[25]
- Municipal officials
- London Breed, former mayor of San Francisco (2018–2025)[23]
- Willie Brown, former mayor of San Francisco (1996–2004)[23]
- Ken Carlson, Contra Costa County supervisor from the 4th district (2022–present)[25]
- Matt Dorsey, San Francisco supervisor from the 6th district (2022–present)[25]
- Barbara Lee, mayor of Oakland (2025–present) (co-endorsement with Tubbs)[27]
- Rafael Mandelman, president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors (2025–present) from the 8th district (2018–present)[25]
- John Pérez, Regent of the University of California (2014–present) and former Speaker of the California State Assembly (2010–2014) from AD-53 (2008–2014)[25]
- R. Rex Parris, mayor of Lancaster (2008–present) (Republican)[28]
- Jeffrey Prang, Los Angeles County Assessor (2014–present)[25]
- Raj Salwan, mayor of Fremont (2024–present)[28]
- Helen Tran, mayor of San Bernardino (2022–present)[28]
- Labor unions
- Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs[29]
- California Federation of Teachers (co-endorsement with Fryday)[30]
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees[18]
- International Brotherhood of Teamsters - California and Local 665[31]
- National Union of Healthcare Workers[29]
- California Building & Construction Trades Council[32]
- Professional Engineers in California Government[29]
- UNITE HERE Local 11[29]
- United Food and Commercial Workers Western Council[29]
- Organizations
- National Women's Political Caucus California[33]
Oliver Ma (D)
- Organizations
- California Democratic Socialists of America[34]
Gloria Romero (R)
- Individuals
- Steve Hilton, political commentator[35]
Michael Tubbs (D)
- U.S. senators
- Laphonza Butler, California (2023–2024)[36]
- U.S. representatives
- Robert Garcia, CA-42 (2023–present)[37]
- Sam Liccardo, CA-16 (2025–present)[36]
- Lateefah Simon, CA-12 (2025–present)[36]
- State legislators
- Mia Bonta, AD-18 (2021–present)[18]
- Isaac Bryan, AD-51 (2021–present)[38]
- Sade Elhawary, AD-57 (2024–present)[38]
- Matt Haney, AD-17 (2022–present)[38]
- Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, SD-28 (2022–present)[38]
- County officials
- Lindsey Horvath, Los Angeles supervisor from the 3rd district (2022–present)[39]
- Bilal Mahmood, San Francisco supervisor from the 5th district (2024–present)[38]
- Holly Mitchell, Los Angeles supervisor from the 2nd district (2020–present)[39]
- Vicente Sarmiento Orange County supervisor from the 2nd district (2023–present)[38]
- Shamann Walton, San Francisco supervisor from the 10th district (2019–present)[38]
- Municipal officials
- Michael Bloomberg, former mayor of New York City (2002–2013)[33]
- Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Los Angeles City Councilmember from the 8th district (2015–present)[39]
- Barbara Lee, mayor of Oakland (2025–present) (co-endorsement with Fiona Ma)[18]
- Individuals
- Steve Phillips, author[33]
- Tommy Vietor, political commentator[33]
- Political parties
- Labor unions
- Organizations
Declined to endorse
- Organizations
Polling
Hypothetical polling
Notes
Partisan and media clients
- ^ This poll was sponsored by Fiona Ma's campaign
References
- ^ "Eleni Kounalakis drops out of California governor's race, pivots to downballot campaign". POLITICO. August 8, 2025. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "Dates and Deadlines". Close the Gap California. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ Cadelago, Christopher (March 5, 2025). "Newsom's 'Sargent Shriver' running for California lieutenant governor". Politico. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
- ^ Bajko, Matthew (December 13, 2023). "Out Sausalito councilmember Kellman runs for CA lt. gov". Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
- ^ Flores, Hilda (June 2, 2023). "State Treasurer Fiona Ma formally announces bid for CA lieutenant governor". KCRA-TV. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
- ^ Belcher, Phyllis (October 13, 2025). "Democrats to hold meet-and-greet with Ma". Tehachapi News. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
- ^ Melhado, William (July 7, 2025). "Can this former rock star help California resist Trump as the second-in-command?". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
- ^ Contreras, Russell (July 17, 2024). "Progressive hero seeks political comeback in California". Axios. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ "California Secretary of State - CalAccess - Campaign Finance - Schaefer for Lt Governor 2026". cal-access.sos.ca.gov. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
- ^ a b Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (June 9, 2025). "Major escalations in LA as Newsom, Trump fight over Guard troops". Politico. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
Former state Sen. Steven Bradford is out of the race for lieutenant governor, but he's still hoping to boost a political ally's fortunes in the contest. Bradford will today endorse State Treasurer Fiona Ma
- ^ "California Secretary of State - CalAccess - Campaign Finance - David Fennell for Lieutenant Governor 2026". cal-access.sos.ca.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
- ^ Mehta, Seema (January 12, 2026). "Democrat-turned-Republican Gloria Romero announces run for lieutenant governor". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
- ^ "California Secretary of State Cal-Access". cal-access.sos.ca.gov. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
- ^ Symon, Evan (March 5, 2025). "Chief Service Officer Josh Fryman Announces Run For Lt. Governor". California Globe. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
- ^ "David Serpa for Governor". www.davidserpaforgovernor.com. May 26, 2025. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
- ^ Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (January 30, 2026). "The Mahan factor and Newsom's shade". Politico. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
- ^ "Newsom blasts shutdown deal". Politico. November 10, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake; Mason, Melanie (February 4, 2026). "Dumpster diving and DNA: How Newsom writes about local media". Politico. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
- ^ a b Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake; White, Jeremy (February 17, 2026). "California's 'crazy' ballot measure economy and Newsom's world tour". Politico. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
- ^ a b Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (January 27, 2026). "Republicans navigate Alex Pretti's killing". Politico. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ^ Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (December 19, 2025). "Predictions we got right (or wrong)". Politico. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- ^ "East Area Progressive Democrats: Endorsements". East Area Progressive Democrats. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f Bajko, Matthew S. (March 26, 2025). "Political Notebook: LPAC nod buoys out CA lt. gov candidate Kellman". Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
- ^ Jones, Blake; Gardiner, Dustin (August 12, 2025). "Why a gerrymandering critic wants to toss out California's maps". Politico. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Bajko, Matthew S. (August 11, 2025). "Political Notes: LGBTQ leaders take sides in CA lt. gov race". Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ a b c Jones, Blake; Gardiner, Dustin (February 20, 2025). "Can Valadao avoid his health care Kryptonite?". Politico. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
- ^ Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (February 5, 2026). "Caruso reconsiders and a Newsom critic cools down". Politico. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
- ^ a b c "Over 30 Current and Former California Mayors Endorse Fiona Ma, CPA for Lieutenant Governor". The Los Angeles Post. March 10, 2025. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Jones, Blake; Gardiner, Dustin; Norman, Nicole (December 11, 2025). "The shadow campaign for attorney general kicks into gear". Politico. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- ^ Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (January 28, 2026). "The case for (and against) a Matt Mahan run". Politico. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
- ^ Sinogui, Florencio (September 11, 2025). "Teamsters Local 665 & Teamsters California Endorse State Candidates". Teamsters Local 665. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
- ^ Holden, Lindsey (October 23, 2025). "Donald Trump, Daniel Lurie and San Francisco's eventful week". Politico. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Jones, Blake; Gardiner, Dustin; White, Jeremy (January 6, 2026). "The tax fight dividing California Democrats". Politico. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
- ^ "CA DSA Endorses Oliver Ma for Lieutenant Governor of California". California DSA. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
- ^ Barth, Megan (January 13, 2026). "Steve Hilton Selects Former Democrat Gloria Romero as Lt. Governor Running Mate in Push to End One-Party Rule in California". California Globe. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
- ^ a b c Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (February 5, 2025). "Rob Bonta is keeping his day job". Politico. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
- ^ Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (January 29, 2026). "Mahan jumps in and Rivas draws a line". Politico. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f g Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (March 20, 2025). "Daniel Lurie calls in A-list CEOs". Politico. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
- ^ a b c Jones, Blake; Gardiner, Dustin; Norman, Nicole (July 16, 2025). "Valadao challenger makes it official". Politico. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
- ^ Mason, Melanie; Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (October 15, 2025). "Rick Caruso isn't ruling anything out". Politico. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
- ^ Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (December 10, 2025). "Gavin Newsom looks back". Politico. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- ^ Bajko, Matthew S. (November 17, 2025). "LGBTQ caucus passes on CA Lt. Gov. 2026 primary endorsement". Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ^ Tulchin, Ben; O’Neil, Corey; Teter, Corey; Joseph, Caroline (February 10, 2026). "Poll Shows Fiona Ma Strongly Positioned in the Race for Lieutenant Governor" (PDF). Retrieved February 16, 2026.
External links
Official campaign websites