# Election of a new Governor of California, 2026 **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [April 3, 2026, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986 "2026-04-03T03:51:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Eric1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3bc359/32.png) [@Eric1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eric1)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/21 "2026-04-06T07:59:30Z")
The election’s very interesting. I’ve been backing former Controller Yee with small contributions but respect Porter’s numbers. Tom Steyer seems to have such undue expectations that it puts me off. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/22 "2026-04-06T14:36:55Z")
Trump just endorsed one of the Republicans, Steve Hilton, a Fox News talking head. This could squash the other Republican enough to make a two Republican run-off a non-issue. > **[Trump just handed California Dems an overnight gift with surprise...](https://www.rawstory.com/trump-california-endorsement/#)** > > Donald Trump has done the one thing California Republicans begged him not to do — and in doing so, may have handed the governor's race to Democrats, Politico is reporting.Late Sunday night, Trump endorsed Fox News personality Steve Hilton for... ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/23 "2026-04-06T14:43:00Z")
Because of course Trump can’t just not meddle. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/24 "2026-04-06T16:26:23Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > I occasionally watch YouTube on my TV where I have to endure ads and Steyer is seemingly buying a shit-ton of YouTube time. Yes, so much so that I’m beginning to actively hate him. He seemed smarmy at first, but now he really annoys me. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2026, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/25 "2026-04-10T22:42:59Z")
Goddammit, I just don’t understand what it is that makes it so seemingly impossible for powerful men to keep their dick in their pants. > **[Swalwell accused of sexually assaulting female staff member](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-10/swalwell-accusations)** > > Rep. Eric Swalwell, a Democratic front-runner in the hotly contested California governor's race, was accused of sexual assault by a former staff member in a report published on Friday. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2026, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/26 "2026-04-10T22:58:32Z")
With the system in place in California I have had mild concerns 2 of the GOP candidates might get the most votes. With this news it is crucial some of the Democrats running drop out. If not California will have a Republican governor. Barring a miracle Swalwell’s political career is effectively over. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2026, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/27 "2026-04-10T23:37:22Z")
It gets worse - there are now FOUR women accusing Swalwell of sexual misconduct. > **[Exclusive: Four women describe sexual misconduct by Rep. Eric Swalwell,...](https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/10/us/eric-swalwell-sexual-misconduct-allegations-invs)** > > A former staffer of Rep. Eric Swalwell, a leading Democratic candidate for California governor, says that the congressman raped her when she was heavily intoxicated, an allegation Swalwell strongly denies. I just don’t get the mindset of potentially throwing away a future presidential career because you want to cheat on your wife and send dick pics to strangers. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2026, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/28 "2026-04-10T23:41:25Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > Yes, so much so that I’m beginning to actively hate him. He seemed smarmy at first, but now he really annoys me. New ads seemingly every day. He is pulling in a lot of local politicians to shill for him, and some ads are responses to attack ads. He just has too much money and is spending it to try to buy the election. If Swalwell drops out, that leaves Katie Porter as the only viable Dem. alternative to Steyer. I don’t see the harm (to the Republican cause or to the candidate) by having Trump endorse him, unless it is that it will shift so much support (to or from) the other Republican candidate, that there will no longer be 2 Republicans in the lead. Is there any sign of that happening yet? ---
**Author:** ![Larsedik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larsedik/32/19832_2.png) [@Larsedik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larsedik)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2026, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/29 "2026-04-11T00:01:56Z")
I like Matt Mahan, but I won’t vote for him unless I think he has a chance of being in the top two. It looks like Steven Hilton is going to be one of the top two, and I really do not believe that Chad Bianco will be second, even though he is the sheriff in the county (Riverside) where I live now. He is not well liked here, and I do not think he could be elected to be sheriff again. I wish that we had separate primaries for the different parties. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2026, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/30 "2026-04-11T10:05:54Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I just don’t get the mindset of potentially throwing away a future presidential career because you want to cheat on your wife and send dick pics to strangers. I just have this thought in the back of my mind that there are some mighty rich and powerful people who don’t like Swalwell, including one of his immediate political opponents and a President who is known for suborning witnesses, and who have the means and motive to suborn a few witnesses at least for long enough to smash his political career when he seemed poised to move into a powerful governorship. I don’t like the idea of questioning the veracity of the women making these accusations; I wish there was a way to know the facts in time to make a difference. I wish that the fallout from suborning witnesses was as strong and immediate as the fallout for stupid sexual misconduct. Ugly times. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2026, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/31 "2026-04-11T10:08:12Z")
Read the article, if you haven’t - this is about as ironclad of an abuse story as I’ve ever seen reported in the media. Fuck Swalwell and abusers everywhere. It’s terrible that we still have these long term abusers in positions of power. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2026, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/32 "2026-04-11T12:37:21Z")
Republicans have tried to sink Democrats by faking sex-abuse allegations before. They’re stunningly incompetent at it, even by standards of Republican levels of incompetence. If that’s what’s going on here, it’ll be revealed within a couple of days. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2026, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/33 "2026-04-11T14:16:26Z")
The only chance Swalwell has of salvaging his career is to become a Republican. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2026, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/34 "2026-04-11T14:57:23Z")
Those Steyer ads with ‘Toms’ my guy’ or ‘Steyer is fire’ annoy me so much. He’s on my local channel every commercial break. I just know some people will fall for his empty promises and it drives me nuts. Matt Mahan is probably the best of the lot. I would really like it if he won. He really comes across as smart. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2026, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/35 "2026-04-11T15:12:15Z")
Unless some miracle occurs Swalwell is toast and will be under increasing pressure to drop out over the next 48 hours. I expect he will by Tuesday morning. My question is this - given all the hate for Tom Steyer I am seeing from certain posters, would it be preferable to end up with a Republican in the Governor’s Mansion rather than Steyer? Considering the primary is almost 2 months away I realize someone else could emerge to take the lead for the Democrats but it does seem for now Steyer has been polling the best after Swalwell. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2026, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/36 "2026-04-11T15:50:20Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > My question is this - given all the hate for Tom Steyer I am seeing from certain posters, would it be preferable to end up with a Republican in the Governor’s Mansion rather than Steyer? Oh, fuck no. Polarization is too far gone these days - there isn’t a semi-tolerable Schwarzenegger option. Both Hilton and Bianco are pro-Trump Republicans which makes them persona non grata on my scorecard. Steyer is a little bit annoying. I always look askance at the super-rich trying to buy themselves an in at the top without putting in the time at lower offices. But I’d take him over the Republican field in a heartbeat. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2026, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/37 "2026-04-11T18:49:59Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > My question is this - given all the hate for Tom Steyer I am seeing from certain posters, would it be preferable to end up with a Republican in the Governor’s Mansion rather than Steyer? No, not even close. Unless the GOP runs a moderate like Swartzenegger again, which they are not. Chad Bianco is a hard core MAGA- > **[Chad Bianco](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chad_Bianco)** > > Chad Bianco (born October 9, 1967) is an American law enforcement officer, who has served as sheriff of Riverside County, California, since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, Bianco has been affiliated with the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association and Oath Keepers. He is a candidate for governor of California in the 2026 election. > Bianco was born on October 9, 1967, at the Hill Air Force Base in Utah. He has two younger brothers. > Bianco moved from Utah to California in... > Bianco has been hosted on [Fox News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_News), as well as by conservative pastors on YouTube channels and podcasts… In 2020, during the [COVID-19 pandemic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic), Bianco stated that he would not enforce Coronavirus mandates and did not plan to get vaccinated… During the [2024 presidential election](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_United_States_presidential_election), Bianco endorsed [Donald Trump](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump), stating in an allegedly sarcastic video that “It’s time we put a felon in the White House”, referring to Trump’s [felony conviction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosecution_of_Donald_Trump_in_New_York) in May 2024.[[37]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chad_Bianco#cite_note-37) > **[Steve Hilton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Hilton)** > > Stephen Glenn Charles Hilton (born 25 August 1969) is an English and American conservative political commentator, former political adviser, and contributor for the Fox News Channel. He served as director of strategy for British prime minister David Cameron from 2010 to 2012. Hilton hosted The Next Revolution, a weekly current affairs show for Fox News from 2017 to 2023. He is a proponent of what he calls "positive populism"and a strong endorser of U.S. President Donald Trump.. H Hilton was bor... **Stephen Glenn Charles Hilton** (born 25 August 1969)[[1]] > ([Steve Hilton - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Hilton#cite_note-1))[[2]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Hilton#cite_note-2) is an English and American conservative political commentator, former political adviser, and contributor for the [Fox News Channel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_News_Channel).[[3]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Hilton#cite_note-3) He served as director of strategy for British prime minister [David Cameron](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Cameron) from 2010 to 2012.[[4]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Hilton#cite_note-director-4) Hilton hosted _[The Next Revolution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Next_Revolution)_ , a weekly current affairs show for [Fox News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_News) from 2017 to 2023.[[5]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Hilton#cite_note-5) He is a proponent of what he calls "positive [populism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Populism)"and a strong endorser of U.S. President [Donald Trump](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump) > [@Tamerlane](#): > > Oh, fuck no. Polarization is too far gone these days - there isn’t a semi-tolerable Schwarzenegger option. Both Hilton and Bianco are pro-Trump Republicans which makes them persona non grata on my scorecard. > > Steyer is a little bit annoying. Right- Steyers ads are annoying. > **[2026 Polls: California Governor - 270toWin](https://www.270towin.com/2026-governor-polls/california)** > > Polling conducted for the 2026 Governor election in California. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2026, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/38 "2026-04-11T20:15:23Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > I don’t like the idea of questioning the veracity of the women making these accusations; I wish there was a way to know the facts in time to make a difference. Stalwell has a right to presumption of legal innocence. However, there’s enough evidence against him that he shouldn’t be running for higher office. I agree with this (although women with serious allegations are now plural): > [@](#): > > The young woman who has made serious allegations against Congressman Swalwell must be respected and heard. This extremely sensitive matter must be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability. As I discussed with Congressman Swalwell, it is clear that is best done outside of a gubernatorial campaign. – [Nancy Pelosi](https://www.newsweek.com/list-democrats-eric-swalwell-california-governor-exit-11814922) I agree with this: > [@](#): > > Speaking out is never easy, and her account must be taken seriously. At a moment like this, we must make sure that women are heard, and justice is pursued. – [Tom Steyer](https://www.newsweek.com/list-democrats-eric-swalwell-california-governor-exit-11814922) > [@](#): > > I’m thinking of the courageous women who have come forward to share their stories. We believe you and we stand with you. – [Katie Porter](https://x.com/katieporterca/status/2042716157200007523?s=20) No, no, no! Porter is presuming Stalwell’s guilt. Stalwell should be investigated by the House Ethics Committee with possible crime(s) looked into by appropriate career prosecutors. Traditionally, the accused retain their House seat during the process. That seems fair to me. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2026, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/39 "2026-04-11T21:02:54Z")
His name is Swalwell not Stalwell. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2026, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/40 "2026-04-11T21:29:23Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Stalwell has a right to presumption of legal innocence. Absolutely. From a legal standpoint. > [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Porter is presuming Stalwell’s guilt. I mean, I am also presuming Swalwell’s guilt. It’s just a presumption, so I wouldn’t be shocked if he were to be exonerated. But I would be more than a little surprised. In my brain’s own little internal court of opinion, multiple accusers with stories that line up and have first-line support in terms of circumstantial evidence (friends told and such), usually means guilt. So I assume guilty, even though I’m not certain of it. I am not a court of law and owe a stranger like Swalwell no presumptive grace. My brain follows civil procedure - preponderance of evidence, not beyond reasonable doubt I prefer Pelosi’s phrasing as well, but I doubt Porter’s wrong and very cynically forthrightly getting out ahead of the story and standing with the accused isn’t the worst political look. It’s just, again very cynically, a risky move if by some minor miracle it is proven that Swalwell was the victim of an evil cabal. But he almost certainly isn’t. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986.md?page=3)