California governor's race puts 16 years of Democratic rule on the ballot
:: Jim Newton, Professor of Public Policy, UCLA
"California is a very Democratic state. Environment and belief in climate change, respect for the environment is a big part of that. Latinos, immigration is a big part of it. That's a whole history. But right now, Xavier Becerra is the heir to that history, and he is in the driver's seat." // "I don't think there's much chance that he doesn't win the governorship. I think his path to victory is very clear."
:: Xavier Becerra, Democratic Candidate for California Governor
"What I bring to the table is what Xavier Becerra brings to the table, no one else... no one brings the experience or the credentials that I bring and no one bring the life experience, the personal experiences as the son of immigrants the way I do."
NEWTON: "There's definitely room for a kind of Schwarzenegger-like Republican, someone who has a standing that's independent of the party, independent financing, etc. I think for that to happen, though, it has to be a Republican who is not only not associated with President Trump, but who is actively opposing or opposed by President Trump."
:: Los Angeles, California / October 15, 2026
:: Steve Hilton, Republican Candidate for California Governor
:: Hilton says he answers to neither the White House nor Sacramento
"There's a majority of Californians who say that the state's going in the wrong direction and needs change. And so we're speaking to that majority and of course it's going to be difficult, but I still think that we can win this election because people in California, after 16 years of one party rule, they really do want something different."
:: Tustin, California / October 20, 2026
MICHAEL MAXSENTI: "When Hilton was running for governor in the primary, he was not my first choice. But I did listen to him...CUT (2:45) After he won the primary, I was like, 'OK, he's our guy.' I've got to get behind him if we're going to bring new ideas into our leadership."
NEWTON: "Right now, it's kind of hard to be Republican who's pro-environment, pro-immigration, and anti-Trump, because that's a Democrat. So I think in the short run, they're in a real box."
:: Immigration divides the candidates and their supporters
"Immigration policies federally set the choice for the governor of California or any state, is whether to actually work cooperatively to help enforce the law or to fight law enforcement. And I think it's obvious which side of that you should be on."
:: Bakersfield, California / October 22, 2026
BECERRA: "ICE, you come into California, you better watch your step because if you step over the line, we have a right to come after you. We will protect our citizenry. We will protect our families that work hard. You do not have a right to chase people without a warrant."
SUSIE VALENCIA: "If people put everything aside and truly realize what an immigrant brings to the United States, they should vote for the right person, for the right reasons, because no matter where immigrants are, the communities thrive."
NEWTON: "If he can't address, in a satisfying way, homelessness, the price of housing, education, the environment, then he takes with him not just his own governorship, but the premise that Democrats can run places as big and complex as California with him. So there's a lot at stake in his governorship."
President Donald Trump endorsed Hilton's campaign in April. However, Trump remains unpopular among many California voters. A September UC Berkeley poll of nearly 7,000 likely voters found that 27% approved of the president's job performance.
Hilton said he opposes several Trump administration policies and proposals, including federal research funding cuts affecting California universities, a proposal to halt CBP processing for international arrivals at some sanctuary-city airports, and discussions about potential government equity stakes in AI companies.
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