Interviewing the candidates for California governor
CBS News California Investigates sat down for in-depth interviews with the top-polling candidates for California governor to create a voter's guide ahead of one of the most consequential elections in the state.
The topic-specific segments below allow viewers to compare candidates side by side and select the issues that matter to them. The accountability-focused format pushes beyond campaign talking points to reveal how candidates respond to nuanced follow-up questions and opposing viewpoints.
What has the California Legislature and Gov. Gavin Newsom done well, and what could be done differently? We asked each of the candidates running for California governor:
Xavier Becerra
Xavier Becerra, a former California attorney general who served as Health and Human Services secretary in the Biden administration, 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]
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]
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," and that state leaders should focus more on California issues rather than what's going on in Washington, D.C. [WATCH]
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]
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]
Katie Porter
Consumer protection attorney and law professor Katie Porter is among the long list of Democrats running or governor. She 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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
