California Gubernatorial Election in Statewide, California

2026 Primary Election

• Jesse Alberti — California Gubernatorial Election in Sacramento, California

  Jesse Alberti is a candidate running for Governor of California. He has stated that he is running to represent all Californians and aims to bring integrity back to politics. He is documenting his process to share with others who may want to get involved in politics.

• James Jr. — California Gubernatorial Election in Sacramento, California

  Information regarding this candidate's education, experience, and career history is not publicly available.

• Christopher Bailey — California Gubernatorial Election in Sacramento, California

  Information regarding this candidate's education, experience, and career history is not publicly available.

• Carolina Buhler — UCLA student in Not available, California

  Carolina Buhler is a student at UCLA studying earth and environmental science. She is running for governor because she believes other candidates' solutions are based on what she defines as "pillars of collapse," which include the extraction, exploitation, and devaluation of human life.

• Jong Choi — California Gubernatorial Election in Sacramento, California

  Information regarding this candidate's education, experience, and career history is not publicly available.

• Phillip Jr. — Candidate in Not available, California

  Information regarding this candidate's education, experience, and career history is not publicly available.

• Elaine Culotti — Farmer and Entrepreneur in Not available, California

  Elaine Culotti is a real estate developer, interior designer, farm-to-table farmer, and reality TV personality. She starred in the Discovery+ reality series "Undercover Billionaire." She is running for governor with no party preference, arguing that California's challenges require bipartisan solutions.

• Sophia Edum-A-Sam — Project Manager in Not available, California

  Information regarding this candidate's education, experience, and career history is not publicly available.

• Serge Fiankan — Entrepreneur in Saratoga, California

  Serge Fiankan is an entrepreneur who has experienced homelessness in the past. He is running for governor as an independent to restore trust in government and make California more affordable for working families. He previously ran for governor in 2022.

• Lewis Herms — Founder of ScrewBigGov.com and Freedom In Action in Not available, California

  Lewis Herms describes himself as an "Anti-Politician" and has a background in the private sector, including managing operations and running his own company. He grew up in Southern California and was raised by a single mother on food stamps. He is running as an independent candidate to address what he sees as government corruption and overreach.

• Steve Hilton — Political Commentator, Author, Entrepreneur in Not available, California

  Steve Hilton is a political commentator and former host of "The Next Revolution" on Fox News Channel. Born in the United Kingdom to Hungarian parents, he previously served as head of strategy for former British Prime Minister David Cameron. He is running for governor to end what he describes as the "one-party rule" of the Democratic Party in California.

• Mark Iles — California Gubernatorial Election in Sacramento, California

  Information regarding this candidate's education, experience, and career history is not publicly available.

• Tralaunie Jenkins — Candidate in Not available, California

  Information regarding this candidate's education, experience, and career history is not publicly available.

• Duane Jr. — Candidate in Not available, California

  Information regarding this candidate's education, experience, and career history is not publicly available.

• Amanda Martin — Candidate in Not available, California

  Information regarding this candidate's education, experience, and career history is not publicly available.

• Daniel Mercuri — Author in Not available, California

  Daniel Mercuri is an author who has previously run for governor in 2021 and 2022, and for California's 25th congressional district in 2020.

• Mauro Orozco — Candidate in Not available, California

  Information regarding this candidate's education, experience, and career history is not publicly available.

• Carter Pope — Candidate in Not available, California

  Information regarding this candidate's education, experience, and career history is not publicly available.

• Reza Safarnejad — California Gubernatorial Election in Sacramento, California

  Information regarding this candidate's education, experience, and career history is not publicly available.

• Sam Sandak — Filmmaker and Producer in Not available, California

  Information regarding this candidate's education, experience, and career history is not publicly available.

• Frederic Schultz — Candidate in Not available, California

  Information regarding this candidate's education, experience, and career history is not publicly available.

• George Slivka — Activist in Not available, California

  George Slivka is an activist who has been arrested for his activism. His experiences with law enforcement have motivated him to continue the work of Governor Newsom in combating prison corporations. After college, he purchased an electric vehicle to offset his carbon footprint as a delivery driver.

• Nicholas Thompson — Candidate in Not available, California

  Nicholas Thompson is running for governor to bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to the state's leadership, based on the principles of individual liberty and effective governance.

• Margaret Trowe — Hotel Worker in Not available, California

  Information regarding this candidate's education, experience, and career history is not publicly available.

• Scott Vineberg — Candidate in Not available, California

  Information regarding this candidate's education, experience, and career history is not publicly available.

• Butch Ware — Associate Professor at UC Santa Barbara in Not available, California

  Dr. Rudolph "Butch" T. Ware III is an associate professor of History, Black Studies, and Islamic Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He was the 2024 vice presidential nominee for the Green Party, running with Jill Stein. He is also a hip hop artist. He is running for governor as a Green Party candidate to challenge a system he views as rigged by corporations.

• David Zickefoose — Real Estate Investor in Not available, California

  Information regarding this candidate's education, experience, and career history is not publicly available.

• Christine Sarmiento — Candidate for Governor in Baldwin Park, California

  Information regarding this candidate's education, experience, and career history is not publicly available.

• Anne Komarovsk — Founder of SayRabbit LLC in Beverly Hills, California

  Anne Komarovsk, also known as Annestacia Komarovsk, is a candidate for Governor of California in the 2026 election. She is running with no party preference. She is the founder of SayRabbit LLC. In a YouTube video, she mentioned her intention to run for governor and stated she is not a Democrat or a Republican.

• Mohammad Arif — Kern County Chair of the Peace and Freedom Party in Corona, California

  Mohammad Arif earned a bachelor's degree from Hailey College and a master's in economics from Punjab University. After immigrating to California in 1991, he attended Abraham Lincoln Law College. He has a background as a legal administrator for law firms, focusing on the legal needs of immigrants. He has previously been a candidate for various offices, including the State Senate in a 2013 special election and Lieutenant Governor in 2022.

• Gheorghe Teofil Golea — Veteran in Diamond Bar, California

  Gheorghe Teofil Golea is a veteran, an immigrant, and a resident of California. He is running for Governor to address issues such as the high cost of living, public safety, and homelessness. He states that his campaign is focused on practical solutions and accountability to restore trust, affordability, and opportunity in the state.

• Carmenlina Minasyan — California Gubernatorial Election in Sacramento, California

  Information regarding Carmenlina Minasyan's biography, education, and career history is not publicly available.

• Ethan Penner — California Gubernatorial Election in Sacramento, California

  Ethan Penner is a real estate investor and the CEO of Mosaic Real Estate Investors, a firm he co-founded in 2015. He is widely credited with being a primary creator of the Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (CMBS) market in the 1990s while at Nomura Securities. His career of over 30 years in real estate and finance also includes founding and leading CBRE Capital Partners in 2008. Penner has also served as an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University's Graziadio School of Business and the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business. He is the author of the book "Greatness is a Choice," published in 2023.

• Akinyemi Agbede — California Gubernatorial Election in Sacramento, California

  Akinyemi Agbede is a Nigerian-American mathematician and educator who holds a PhD in Mathematical Analysis from the University of Cambridge. He has previously run for California governor and the U.S. Senate. His campaign is focused on bringing data-driven leadership and evidence-based solutions to the state's challenges. He has spent decades promoting STEM education and advocating for policies to expand access for under-represented communities.

• Khaled Fattal — California Gubernatorial Election in Sacramento, California

  Khaled Fattal is the founder and chairman of the MLi Group, a company focused on survivability strategies and mitigating cyber threats. He has been involved in the global infrastructure and security of the Internet since the mid-1990s, contributing to its multilingual development through organizations like the United Nations and ICANN. He is also a best-selling author.

• Max Fomin — California Gubernatorial Election in Sacramento, California

  Information regarding Max Fomin's biography and current role was not available in the search results. The name appeared in the context of Russian occupation updates, which is unlikely to be the gubernatorial candidate.

• Leo Zacky — Candidate for Governor of California 2026 in Los Angeles, California

  Leo Zacky is a fourth-generation Californian and Vice President of Zacky Farms — a family-owned poultry business serving California for over 100 years. Raised in agriculture and business, Leo understands firsthand what it takes to create jobs, navigate regulations, and keep California's economy working for everyday families. Unlike career politicians, Leo has spent his career in the real world — lobbying for California's agricultural industry in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., and fighting for the businesses and workers that feed our state. A proud Constitutionalist, Leo believes in limited government, economic freedom, and putting Californians first. He is running for Governor in 2026 to bring responsible leadership and a proven business record to Sacramento.

• Ramsey Robinson — California Gubernatorial Election in Sacramento, California

  Ramsey Robinson is a mental health social worker, organizer, and activist based in San Francisco. He earned his Master of Social Work from California State University, Los Angeles. His work focuses on challenging systemic inequities such as poverty and racism. Robinson has been involved in campaigns for victims of police brutality, co-organizing a speak-out for Sawandi Toussaint and helping lead the national 'Shut 'Em Down' campaign to free political prisoners. He has also worked with at-risk youth on Skid Row and in San Francisco's Bayview/Hunters Point community on environmental justice issues. At the high school where he works, he founded a Student Socialist Club.

• Carla Rather — Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Redondo Beach, California

  Carla Rather is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and the founder of Relationshifts.org, a 501(c)(3) non-profit counseling and human development center that provides digital telehealth in California. She obtained a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Vanguard University. Her experience includes working with emotionally disturbed children and troubled teens within the public school system, serving as a therapist for the Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Center, and working as an STRTP Therapist for Olive Crest in connection with the Orange County Foster Care System. She specializes in treating issues such as PTSD, military veterans, depression, anxiety, complex relational trauma, and addictive behaviors.

• Antonio Villaraigosa — California Gubernatorial Election in Sacramento, California

  Antonio Ramón Villaraigosa, born Antonio Ramón Villar Jr. on January 23, 1953, served as the 41st Mayor of Los Angeles from 2005 to 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the first Hispanic to hold the post since 1872. Previously, he served as the Speaker of the California State Assembly from 1998 to 2000. Villaraigosa grew up in East Los Angeles and attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and the People's College of Law. Before his political career, he worked as a union organizer for United Teachers Los Angeles and served as president of the Southern California chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). He also ran for governor in 2018, placing third in the primary.

• Ché Ahn — California Gubernatorial Election in Sacramento, California

  Ché Ahn is the founder and senior pastor of Harvest Rock Church in Pasadena, California, which he established with his wife, Sue, in 1994. He also founded Harvest International Ministry (HIM), a global apostolic network of churches. Born in South Korea, Ahn immigrated to the United States as a child. He earned a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. Ahn is also the International Chancellor of Wagner University, which trains believers for practical ministry. He has authored numerous books and is a key figure in the New Apostolic Reformation movement.

• Joel Jacob — California Gubernatorial Election in Sacramento, California

  There is no verifiable public information available to confirm Joel Jacob as a candidate for the 2026 California Gubernatorial election. Searches of official election resources and news coverage do not list him as a declared candidate.

• Raji Rab — California Gubernatorial Election in Sacramento, California

  Raji Rab is an aviator, educator, and entrepreneur. At the age of 18, he graduated with a commercial pilot license from La Verne, California. His career experience includes working as a flight instructor, chief pilot, and owning and operating a flight school, an airline, and a computer infrastructure and training facility. Rab has been involved in civil and human rights advocacy for over two decades and has participated in numerous community events and charities. He is described as a perennial candidate, having previously run for U.S. Congress and the U.S. Senate.

• Leonard Jackson — California Gubernatorial Election in Sacramento, California

  Leonard Jackson is a business leader and community advocate running for Governor of California. Born and raised in Hollywood, he has a diverse career as the CEO of Norfleet Transportation, an actor, and a filmmaker. He has lived in the Santa Clarita Valley for over two decades with his wife and four children, where he has been involved in the community as a youth sports coach and Cub Scout leader. Jackson holds an Executive MBA from Pepperdine University. He is positioning himself as a political outsider with executive experience, aiming to address state issues without influence from special interests or large donors.

• Larry Azevedo — Candidate for Governor in Dos Palos, CA

  Larry Azevedo is a businessman and Democratic candidate for Governor of California in 2026. Born in Dos Palos, California, he grew up participating in 4-H and FFA programs. After working in agriculture, Azevedo earned an associate's degree as an auto-diesel technician in Arizona. He later returned to his hometown, where he opened an auto and truck repair shop. His business ventures eventually expanded into a trucking company and various real estate investments alongside his family.

• Xavier Becerra — Candidate for Governor in CA

  Xavier Becerra is an American attorney and politician running for Governor of California in 2026. He previously served as the 25th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services from 2021 to 2025 under President Joe Biden. A member of the Democratic Party, Becerra also served as the Attorney General of California from 2017 to 2021 and as a U.S. Representative from California from 1993 to 2017. He earned his bachelor's and law degrees from Stanford University.

• Louis A. De Barraicua — Candidate for Governor in Los Angeles, CA

  Louis A. De Barraicua is a teacher, business owner, and Democratic candidate for Governor of California in the 2026 election. His platform focuses on community engagement through an interactive framework he calls "The Golden Road," designed to organize local communities to address systemic issues like homelessness and education. De Barraicua also advocates for government transparency and lowering income, property, and gas taxes, aiming to reduce bureaucracy and stimulate local economies.

• Derek Grasty — Mount Pleasant Elementary School District Trustee in San Jose, CA

  Derek Grasty is an educator and a member of the Mount Pleasant Elementary School District Board of Trustees in California, assuming office in 2020. He has worked as a teacher, principal, and school administrator, including roles with the Santa Cruz County Office of Education and Palo Alto Unified School District. Grasty is running as a Democratic candidate for Governor of California in the 2026 election. Born in Virginia, he moved to California in 1985 and resides in San Jose.

• Joel E. Jacob — Business Owner/Entrepreneur in Torrance, CA

  Joel E. Jacob is a business owner and entrepreneur running as a Democratic candidate for Governor of California in the 2026 election. Jacob's primary campaign is based out of Torrance, California.

• Gary Howard Kidgell — Building Consultant in Santa Clara, CA

  Gary Howard Kidgell is a building consultant and Democratic candidate for Governor of California in 2026. Based in Santa Clara, he has worked for nearly two decades in construction, infrastructure planning, and project management. Kidgell emphasizes his problem-solving background and his family's multi-generational roots in California. His campaign platform focuses on practical solutions for affordability, water management, infrastructure reliability, and strengthening public-private partnerships.

• Matthew Chase Levy — Founder of Noble.AI and AE Blue Capital in Oakland, CA

  Matthew Chase Levy is a California-based entrepreneur and physicist running for Governor. He holds a B.A. from UCLA and a Ph.D. from Rice University. Levy previously conducted research at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and was an Isaac Newton International Fellow at Oxford. In 2018, he founded Noble.AI, a platform accelerating innovation in science and engineering. In 2023, he launched AE Blue, a venture capital firm focused on advanced clean-energy technologies such as fusion energy.

• Matt Mahan — Mayor of San Jose in San Jose, CA

  Matt Mahan is an American politician and tech entrepreneur serving as the 66th Mayor of San Jose, California, since 2023. He previously served as a member of the San Jose City Council from 2021 to 2023. Raised in Watsonville, Mahan graduated from Harvard University and worked as a teacher through Teach for America. Before entering politics, he was the co-founder and CEO of Brigade Media, a civic engagement tech company. He is a Democratic candidate in the 2026 California gubernatorial election.

• Barack D. Obama Shaw — Business owner in Alameda, CA

  Barack D. Obama Shaw, born Cecil L. Shaw III, is a Democratic candidate for Governor of California in the 2026 election. A business owner and former U.S. Army Reservist (2008-2016), he previously ran for Mayor of Alameda, California, in 2022. Shaw comes from a musical background and has worked as a private music teacher. He earned his high school diploma from M.B. Smiley High School and currently resides in Alameda.

• Thunder Parley — Market Analyst in San Jose, CA

  Thunder Parley is a market analyst, former software engineer, and Democratic candidate for Governor of California. He earned a bachelor's degree in computer science and mathematics from Pepperdine University in 2001. Parley previously worked for over two decades in Silicon Valley as a software engineer for Google and Hewlett-Packard. His 2026 gubernatorial campaign platform focuses on addressing affordability, the economy, education, and public health and safety in California.

• Katie Porter — Law Professor in Irvine, CA

  Katie Porter is a Democratic candidate for Governor of California in 2026. A former U.S. Representative, she represented California's 45th and 47th congressional districts from 2019 to 2025. During her tenure, she served as deputy chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and gained national attention for her sharp questioning of corporate executives during committee hearings. Porter holds a B.A. from Yale University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. She currently teaches at the UC Irvine School of Law.

• Satish Rao — Computer Science Professor in Berkeley, CA

  Satish Rao is a UC Berkeley computer science professor running as a Democratic candidate for Governor of California in 2026. A recognized expert in combinatorial optimization and approximation algorithms, Rao seeks to apply his technical expertise to improve administrative efficiency and algorithmic fairness in government. His campaign platform focuses on reducing bureaucratic bloat, lowering regulatory barriers, and reforming public education by prioritizing direct funding for classroom teaching.

• Scott P Shields — Chief Executive Officer in Garden Grove, CA

  Scott P. Shields is a Chief Executive Officer, entrepreneur, and Democratic candidate running for Governor of California in the 2026 primary election. With a background in building businesses and creating jobs in California since 1991, his campaign focuses on economic opportunity, supporting small businesses, and reducing government barriers. He is running on a platform of uniting Californians around practical results and restoring the state's economic promise.

• Tom Steyer — Candidate for Governor in San Francisco, CA

  Thomas Fahr Steyer is an American billionaire businessman, hedge fund manager, philanthropist, and environmentalist. He founded the hedge fund Farallon Capital, the progressive political action committee NextGen America, and Galvanize Climate Solutions. After a run in the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries, Steyer entered the 2026 California gubernatorial race. His platform focuses on affordability, housing, climate action, and taking on utility monopolies to lower energy costs.

• Eric Swalwell — Candidate for Governor in CA

  Eric Swalwell is a former U.S. Representative from California, serving from 2013 until his resignation in April 2026. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served on the Dublin City Council and as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County. Swalwell launched a campaign for Governor of California in the 2026 election. In April 2026, he suspended his gubernatorial campaign and resigned from Congress following allegations of sexual misconduct, though his name remains on the primary ballot.

• Tony K. Thurmond — California State Superintendent of Public Instruction in Richmond, CA

  Tony Thurmond is an American politician and social worker serving as the 28th California State Superintendent of Public Instruction since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, he is running for Governor of California in the 2026 election. Thurmond previously served in the California State Assembly representing the 15th district from 2014 to 2018, and on the West Contra Costa Unified School Board and Richmond City Council. He holds degrees from Temple University and Bryn Mawr College.

• Betty T. Yee — Candidate for Governor in Alameda, CA

  Betty T. Yee is an American politician who served as the California State Controller from 2015 to 2023 and on the California State Board of Equalization from 2004 to 2015. She previously worked as the chief deputy director for budget under Governor Gray Davis. A member of the Democratic Party, Yee also serves as Vice Chair of the California Democratic Party. She announced her candidacy for the 2026 California gubernatorial election, though she suspended her campaign in April 2026.

• Erin "zez" Zezulak — Nurse, Educator, and Consultant in Davis, CA

  Erin "Zez" Zezulak is a registered nurse, educator, small business owner, and consultant running for Governor of California in 2026. Born and raised in California, she holds a Master of Public Health and is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She grew up living in various State and National Parks across California due to her father's work as a wildlife biologist, giving her a deep appreciation for the state's diverse regions and multidimensional population.

• Chad Bianco — Riverside County Sheriff in Riverside, CA

  Chad Bianco is an American law enforcement officer currently serving as the Sheriff of Riverside County, California, a position he assumed in 2019 after joining the department in 1993. As sheriff, Bianco oversees the county's five jail facilities, numerous patrol stations, and an operating budget of nearly $1.3 billion. A member of the Republican Party, he is a candidate for Governor of California in the 2026 election, campaigning on platforms related to criminal justice and regulatory reform.

• Patricia De Luca Basualdo — RealEstateBroker in Redwood City, CA

  PatriciaDeLucaBasualdoisarealestatebrokerandaRepublicancandidateforGovernorofCaliforniainthe2026primaryelection[1.2]. Based in Redwood City, California, she entered the gubernatorial race to run in the nonpartisan top-two primary scheduled for June 2, 2026.

• Randeep S. Dhillon — Economist and Farmer in CA

  Dr. Randeep S. Dhillon is an economist, farmer, and businessman running as a Republican for Governor of California in 2026. Immigrating to the United States from India in 1986, he earned a Ph.D. in finance and economics in California. Dhillon has experience building, operating, and advising various small businesses and agricultural operations. His gubernatorial campaign platform emphasizes improving affordability, enhancing public safety, and securing water resources for farmers.

• Rafael M. Hernandez — Businessman, Songwriter, and Author in Oxnard, CA

  Rafael M. Hernandez is a Republican candidate for Governor of California in the 2026 primary election. He is a businessman, songwriter, author, and retired restaurant manager who previously ran for Mayor of Oxnard in 2024. His gubernatorial campaign focuses on prioritizing Californians by lowering the cost of living, creating better-paying jobs, addressing the homelessness crisis, and building affordable housing.

• Alicia Olivia Lapp — CandidateforGovernor in CA

  AliciaOliviaLappisaRepublicancandidateforGovernorofCaliforniainthe2026election[1.2]. A mother who earned four college degrees following a challenging experience with the California family court system, her platform heavily emphasizes family court reform. Her campaign focuses on issues such as municipal power independence, protecting parental rights, ending homelessness, and restoring law and order, advocating for policies like the proposed Family Court Integrity & Equality Act.

• Leo Naranjo Iv — Candidate for Governor in Elk Grove, CA

  Leo Naranjo IV is a Republican candidate for Governor of California in 2026. Born and raised in Sacramento, he served in the U.S. Army from 1980 to 1995 and is retired from military, county, and federal service. He has over 30 years of experience in customer service and finance. His gubernatorial campaign platform focuses on reducing taxes and regulations, ensuring fiscal responsibility, improving community safety, and finding solutions to homelessness in California.

• Tim Nelson — Diplomat / Rights Advocate in California

  Tim Nelson is a Republican candidate for Governor of California in the 2026 election. He previously served as a U.S. diplomat for 23 years, working on issues such as national security, trade, and combating human trafficking. Born in San Diego and raised in Orange County, Nelson is a graduate of the University of Southern California. His gubernatorial campaign focuses on states' rights, economic growth, infrastructure improvement, and government accountability.

• Gretha Solórzano — Retired Nuclear Engineer in Trabuco Canyon, CA

  Gretha Solórzano is a UC Berkeley-trained scientist and retired nuclear engineer running for Governor of California in the 2026 election as a Republican. With over 30 years of experience in the energy sector, her campaign focuses on strengthening the economy through strategic investments in advanced energy, including reintroducing nuclear power. Solórzano also advocates for improving water infrastructure, tackling the housing shortage, and creating long-term growth for Californians.

• Tom Woodard — Retired CEO in Bonsall, CA

  Tom Woodard is a retired CEO, entrepreneur, and the Libertarian Party candidate for Governor of California in the 2026 primary election. Born and raised in California, he attended San Diego State University and spent over a third of his life living and working in the Dominican Republic before returning to the state. His campaign emphasizes free-market solutions, limiting government intervention, addressing homelessness, and focusing on economic reforms and environmental entrepreneurship.

• Naomi Bar-Lev — Musician, Proprietor, and Writer in San Diego, CA

  Naomi Bar-Lev is a No Party Preference candidate for Governor of California in the 2026 election. She holds a BA in Economics from UCLA and has worked as a real estate broker, construction manager, musician, proprietor, and writer. Her gubernatorial platform focuses on eliminating government fusion centers, ending public-private tech partnerships to protect consumer privacy, addressing political corruption, abolishing sales, income, and property taxes, and implementing new water management plans.

• Joseph Cabrera — BusinessAdministrator in Corona, CA

  JosephCabreraisaBusinessAdministratorandanIndependent(NoPartyPreference)candidateforGovernorofCaliforniainthe2026election[1.3]. Hailing from the Inland Empire, his campaign focuses on reducing state bureaucracy, prioritizing community treatment and recovery in the justice system, and supporting infrastructure revitalization. Cabrera also advocates for restoring merit-based access to California's public universities and increasing accountability in government.

• Livingforgod Andcountry Demott — Logistical Professional / Chaplain in Redding, CA

  LivingForGod AndCountry DeMott is a logistical professional and chaplain running for Governor of California in the 2026 election. Running with no party preference, DeMott's platform emphasizes personal integrity, faith, and combating political corruption. He legally changed his first and middle names to reflect his religious convictions and previously filed formal notification to qualify the Good Character Party as a political body in California.

• Lukasz Adam Filinski — Candidate for Governor in San Francisco, CA

  Łukasz Adam Filinski is an independent candidate running for Governor of California in 2026. He arrived in the United States as an immigrant at age 17. Filinski is running on a platform he calls the "New Fway 67," which emphasizes faith, family values, and political transparency. His campaign proposals include creating a real-time public online dashboard to track state spending, introducing the "HOLD Amendment," and launching an initiative to plant 100 million native trees across California.

• Don J. Grundmann — Candidate for Governor in Santa Clara, CA

  Don J. Grundmann is a Doctor of Chiropractic and a perennial candidate running for Governor of California in 2026. Affiliated with no party preference, he previously campaigned for the U.S. Senate in at least six election cycles between 2010 and 2024. Grundmann has drawn significant media attention for submitting controversial conspiracy theories and rhetoric into California's official state voter information guides.

• Jon Henderson — Founder and Chief Investment Officer, Echo45 Advisors in Walnut Creek, CA

  Jon Henderson is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Echo45 Advisors, a registered investment advisory firm based in Walnut Creek, California [1.3]. A Certified Financial Planner and former advisor at Merrill Lynch, Henderson has over two decades of experience in the financial services industry. He is running for Governor of California in 2026 as a No Party Preference candidate. His campaign focuses on affordable housing, modernizing infrastructure, and government accountability.

• Dawit Kellel — Candidate for Governor in CA

  Dawit Kellel is a No Party Preference candidate running for Governor of California in the 2026 primary election. Running as an independent, Kellel seeks the state's highest executive office outside of the major two-party system. Information regarding his professional background and specific policy platform remains limited, as he has not yet established a comprehensive public campaign presence or completed standard voter information surveys.

• Duane Terrence Loynes Jr. — Candidate for Governor in Marina del Rey, CA

  Duane Terrence Loynes Jr. is a candidate for Governor of California in the 2026 election. Running with no party preference on the ballot, he is the nominee of the American Solidarity Party. He resides in Marina del Rey, California.

• Brent Maupin — Civil Engineer in Redding, CA

  Brent Maupin is a civil engineer, architect, and contractor running for Governor of California in 2026 as a No Party Preference candidate. A fifth-generation Californian from Redding, Maupin previously lived in Arizona where he ran for U.S. Congress. His gubernatorial platform focuses on addressing homelessness through transitional housing, ending sex trafficking, improving wildfire mitigation, and better managing water resources. He also advocates for streamlining state government efficiency.

• Mauro Alberto Orozco — SmallBusinessOwner in Long Beach, CA

  MauroAlbertoOrozcoisasmallbusinessownerandowner-operatortruckerrunningforGovernorofCaliforniaasanindependent(NoPartyPreference)candidate[1.3]. He earned a high school diploma from Manual Arts High School, an associate degree from Compton College, and attended William Penn University. With over two decades of experience working at the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports, his campaign focuses on public safety, economic growth, and reducing government regulations on the trucking industry.

• Christine R. Sarmiento — Public Health Nurse in Baldwin Park, CA

  Christine R. Sarmiento is a public health nurse and operations manager running for Governor of California. Running as a candidate with No Party Preference, she highlights her background as a working mother who attended college while employed full-time. Sarmiento's campaign is focused on practical solutions for affordability, public safety, education, and healthcare access, and she views her run for public office as an extension of her nursing oath to advocate for her community.

• Frederic C. Schultz — HumanRightsAttorney in San Diego, CA

  FredericC.SchultzisahumanrightsattorneyandaNoPartyPreferencecandidateforGovernorofCalifornia[1.3]. Based in San Diego, he previously campaigned for governor in the 2022 election. Schultz's platform emphasizes criminal justice reform and human rights, with a focus on ending arrests for what he considers victimless or consensual crimes and addressing the treatment of asylum seekers and protesters.

• Nancy D. Young — Former Mayor of Tracy in Tracy, CA

  Dr. Nancy D. Young is a former Mayor of Tracy, California, where she made history as the city's first female and first African American mayor. She served on the Tracy City Council for 12 years, including her mayoral term from 2020 to 2024. A longtime pastor, nonprofit leader, and community advocate, Young led her city through the COVID-19 pandemic and secured over $300 million in investments. She is running for Governor of California in 2026 as an independent, no-party-preference candidate.