We asked the candidates for California governor: What has Newsom and the Legislature done well, and what would they do differently?
What has the California Legislature and Gov. Gavin Newsom done well, and what could be done differently?
CBS News California Investigates correspondent Julie Watts asked each of the candidates running for California governor.
For this series, Watts interviewed 11 gubernatorial candidates, pressing them on more than a dozen issues that matter to voters.
Read on to see what each candidate thinks Newsom has done right and to learn what they'd do differently.
Toni Atkins
Former California State Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins was one of the high-profile Democrats running to replace Gov. Newsom when he terms out in 2026. On September 29, Atkins announced she was dropping out of the race, saying that "there is no viable path forward" despite the support she has received.
In her sit-down with Watts, the San Diego resident praised Newsom's effort to go "toe-to-toe" with the Trump administration and Texas by redrawing California's congressional districts. Atkins also said that, if elected, one of her biggest priorities would be addressing health care. Watch Atkins' response here.
Xavier Becerra
Xavier Becerra, a former California attorney general who served as Health and Human Services secretary in the Biden administration, is another Democrat looking to replace Gov. Newsom in 2026. Becerra said Newsom deserves more credit for strengthening the state's economy and explained why California's redistricting effort is necessary. On what he'd do differently, Becerra said he would have acted more quickly than Newsom on addressing issues like with California's high-speed rail project and the statewide housing crisis. Watch Becerra's response here.
Chad Bianco
Sheriff Chad Bianco of Riverside County is one of the Republicans running for California governor in 2026. Bianco said the only thing he believes Newsom has done well is "acting like a Republican" in what he says is the governor's bid for the White House. Bianco added that he couldn't think of a single thing the state Legislature has done right during his seven years as sheriff. Watch Bianco's response here.
Ian Calderon
Ian Calderon, a business owner and former state Assembly majority leader, is running as a Democrat in California's 2026 gubernatorial race. Calderon praised Newsom for his efforts to address California's housing crisis and the legislature for focusing on addressing online safety for children. Calderon said he does believe the State of California has "lost the plot," meaning that state leaders should focus more on California issues rather than what's going on in Washington, D.C. Watch Calderon's response here.
Stephen J. Cloobeck
Another Democrat looking to replace Gov. Newsom in 2026 is business executive Stephen J. Cloobeck. Cloobeck said what he believes Newsom has done well as governor is be active in the public and communities. On why he's in the gubernatorial race, Cloobeck said he's "sick and tired" of the Trump administration "making us look silly." Watch Cloobeck's response here.
Steve Hilton
Public policy expert Steve Hilton is one of the Republicans running for California governor. Hilton said the thing he most agrees with Newsom on is limiting smartphone use in schools. If elected, Hilton said he would work to improve California's rising housing costs, which he said he believes is the top reason why residents are leaving the state. Watch Hilton's response here.
Katie Porter
Consumer protection attorney and law professor Katie Porter is among the long list of Democrats running to replace Gov. Newsom next year. Porter praised Newsom for making school lunches free through the governor's universal meals program. Porter said, if she were governor, she would work to bring down housing costs statewide. Watch Porter's response here.
Tony Thurmond
California's Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said he is running for governor because "California is at a critical inflection point" that could lead to prosperity or further decline. Thurmond, a Democrat, lauded Gov. Newsom for being a creative thinker and for his investments in public education. Thurmond said, if elected, he would work to improve California's insurance crisis and create more affordable housing. Watch Thurmond's response here.
Antonio Villaraigosa
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, a Democrat, said he is running for California governor to give the state a leader who is "a proven problem solver." Villaraigosa criticized Newsom's decision to keep kids out of schools for as long as he did during the COVID-19 pandemic. Villaraigosa said two things Newsom and the state Legislature got right were health care and child care. Watch Villaraigosa's response here.
Butch Ware
The only Green Party candidate running for governor is University of California professor Butch Ware. Ware said two of his biggest critiques of the Newsom administration are the governor's response to immigration raids across the state and his failure to address the homeless crisis. Ware said he doesn't agree with Newsom's use of social media to challenge the Trump administration, but appreciated the governor's effort to fight back. Watch Ware's response here.
Betty Yee
Former State Controller Betty Yee is another Democrat running for California governor. Yee commended Gov. Newsom's ability to be present during key issues like the COVID-19 pandemic. On how she would improve upon Newsom's time as governor, Yee said she would improve California's fiscal accountability. Watch Yee's response here.
Leo Zacky
Business owner Leo Zacky is one of the few Republicans in California's gubernatorial race. Zacky said he's running for governor to "bring common sense solutions to save my home state." Zacy said there hasn't been a single thing Gov. Newsom or the state Legislature has done well over the last seven years. Zacky specifically criticized California for raising the minimum wage for fast food workers. Watch Zacky's response here.
CBS News California Investigates correspondent Julie Watts moderated a recent gubernatorial education forum, hosted by Asian Pacific American Public Affairs and Sacramento State University. You can watch the forum here.
2026 California governor candidates | Accountability Interview Series
This ongoing political accountability series lets viewers compare the top-polling candidates for California governor side by side through a variety of issue-specific segments. CBS News California Investigates sat down with the 12 top-polling candidates to discuss more than a dozen issues that matter to voters.
The topic-specific segments allow viewers to select the issues that matter most to them individually. The accountability-focused format pushes beyond campaign talking points to reveal how candidates respond to nuanced follow-up questions and opposing viewpoints.
The first issue-specific segment, where candidates discussed California's controversial Prop 50 redistricting measure, led to a viral Katie Porter interview clip and impacted the trajectory of the governor's race. Porter's response stood out not just because of what she said, but also because the unique interview format revealed how it dramatically differed from those of the other candidates.
The "One Question" segments introduce voters to each candidate and provide unique insight into how they might govern, as they explain what they think the current governor and legislature did right, and what they would have done differently.
The "side-by-side" issue-specific segments allow viewers to compare the candidates' differing viewpoints and plans, focusing specifically on the issues that matter most to them. The initial topics include redistricting, reaching voters across the aisle, principle vs. politics, sanctuary state polices, health care for undocumented immigrants, and transgender athletes in school sports.
Upcoming segments will feature issues related to crime & criminal justice reform, the impact of environmental laws on California gas prices, homelessness, housing affordability, high-speed rail, and more.
Watch the full series on this CBS News California Investigates YouTube playlist.