# 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:** 8
**Author:** ![Eric1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3bc359/32.png) [@Eric1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eric1)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/141 "2026-04-29T04:29:37Z")
I appreciated tonight’s debate to a good extent. A choice of candidate felt less than a toss up after watching them hash it out. ---
**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 30, 2026, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/142 "2026-04-30T04:24:10Z")
I didn’t watch it, would you care to give any impressions about any of the candidates? As for the polls, Hilton is still rising on the R side, Porter is still sagging as she has been for a couple of months, Mahan is stuck at 5% as he has been since he declared, Bianco is drooping (also on the R side) and is now in 4th. If you look at the numbers over time, it does appear that Becerra got about 2/3 of Swalwell voters, for some reason I can’t really fathom. ---
**Author:** ![Eric1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3bc359/32.png) [@Eric1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eric1)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2026, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/143 "2026-04-30T08:30:03Z")
It seemed to me that Becerra and Porter responded solidly to most of the questions. Porter confronted Steyer and Bianco when they promised to take actions that California governors aren’t permitted to take. Porter was also most fervent about winning the race and actually enraged when she was interrupted by the other candidates. Becerra spoke of taking action from his previous AG experience, knew specifically about actions the governor can take and mentioned the other state cabinet and assembly, in an intention to collaborate with them. Mahan and Thurmond answered the questions with specific examples from each of their previous offices. Hilton seemed to have had conciliatory interaction with Porter, Bacerra, Mahan and Steyer during the race, indicating he would reach across the aisle with them. Bianco naturally concluded by telling the swing voters that all the other candidates on stage where lying to them. I plan to vote for Porter with Becerra as an alternative. I personally loved Thurmond and Mahan’s strengths but think they could both still be around in eight years. ---
**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 30, 2026, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/144 "2026-04-30T17:37:09Z")
Thanks, it makes me wish now I had watched it. > [@Eric1](#): > > Porter was also most fervent about winning the race and actually enraged when she was interrupted by the other candidates. I suspect she is sensitive about being the only woman in the race, and probably, as a woman, gets talked over all the time. I hope she managed to do it in a definite but calm manner. I saw a news story today about Steyer testifying against an attempt to reduce or remove an important part of California’s clean air legislation, and he was giving a presser afterwards (I think), and he looked awful, compared to how he looks in his ads. He must get a lot of makeup and hair prep when he’s making those things. Full disclosure, I suppose if I liked him as a candidate I wouldn’t mention it. I’m sure they all get well-prepped for their ads; maybe some don’t need it as much as he does. ---
**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 30, 2026, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/145 "2026-04-30T18:25:01Z")
Becerra just jumped Steyer. Bianco (R) is in fourth place. The two Republican scenario is looking far less likely. > **[California 2026 Governor Election - Primary Polling Average — Race to the WH](https://www.racetothewh.com/governor/california26)** > > Latest polling for the California Governor Race, featuring an Interactive Polling Average and Trend Line. Explore how the candidates are polling with key groups based on Race, Party, and More. Updated Daily from one of the Most Accurate Forecasters... ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2026, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/146 "2026-04-30T19:12:55Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Becerra just jumped Steyer. Bianco (R) is in fourth place. The two Republican scenario is looking far less likely. Well, edged out is more like it than “jumped”. And it could be two Dems in the final race. > **[2026 Polls: California Governor - 270toWin](https://www.270towin.com/2026-governor-polls/california)** > > Polling conducted for the 2026 Governor election in California. ---
**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 30, 2026, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/147 "2026-04-30T19:20:24Z")
Come on Dude. He went from 4th Place and jumped over to 2nd place. No doubt there will be more changes. ---
**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:** [May 1, 2026, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/148 "2026-05-01T23:23:15Z")
My local NPR station (KQED) had a story this morning that Becerra is softening on universal health care, a move that (they claim) he is making to win the support of some powerful doctors’ association. On the other hand, the commercials against Steyer seem to be more telling this week, with charges that he hasn’t apparently tried to refute yet, i.e. that most (or anyway a lot) of his money is in offshore countries where he can dodge income taxes from them. The ads point out the irony, since getting billionaires to pay their fair share of taxes is one of his main campaign points. Porter has a cute (but relevant) new commercial with her dog. It does a lot, I think, to humanize her. She’s still stuck at 10% though. And Mahan is stuck at 5%. I think I could be happy with Mahan, I’m going to do some more research on him. eta: I got my ballot today. I will be dropping it in an official collection box, not a mailbox, just for a little extra security. eta again: interesting to note that Becerra has gone up 2% since April 20, and the only candidates who have gone down in that period are Bianco and Porter, whose decreases total 2.2%. The other 0.2% appears to have gone to Hilton. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2026, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/149 "2026-05-02T00:12:10Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > My local NPR station (KQED) had a story this morning that Becerra is softening on universal health care, a move that (they claim) he is making to win the support of some powerful doctors’ association. > > On the other hand, the commercials against Steyer seem to be more telling this week, with charges that he hasn’t apparently tried to refute yet, You can not effectively do UHC on a state level. And one trick is pushing a bogus claim just to get someone to deny or refute it. Thus, dont weigh the point someone isnt refuting an ad very highlly. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2026, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/150 "2026-05-02T03:31:32Z")
If any state could credibly and sustainably do UHC, it would be California, and even there it would be _very_ tough. ---
**Author:** ![Ancient\_Nerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed655f/32.png) [@Ancient\_Nerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ancient_Nerd)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2026, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/151 "2026-05-02T18:20:58Z")
Didn’t Massachusetts set up something that turned into the model for Obamacare? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2026, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/152 "2026-05-02T18:32:21Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > If any state could credibly and sustainably do UHC, it would be California, and even there it would be _very_ tough. Yeah, how do you stop people from other states coming in and abusing the system? > [@Ancient\_Nerd](#): > > Didn’t Massachusetts set up something that turned into the model for Obamacare? But Obamacare is not UHC. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2026, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/153 "2026-05-02T22:45:25Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Yeah, how do you stop people from other states coming in and abusing the system? It probably wouldn’t be as bad as you think. People need more than just free medical to move somewhere. Without a job and a place to live, most people will not make the move. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/154 "2026-05-03T03:17:21Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > It probably wouldn’t be as bad as you think. People need more than just free medical to move somewhere. Move? Just come over for the day. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/155 "2026-05-03T03:53:52Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Move? Just come over for the day. They most likely would put some restrictions, such as you have to be a resident of California or whatever state for a certain amount of time. Day visitors wouldn’t get the UHC. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/156 "2026-05-03T12:20:24Z")
If it helps, this explains where NHS England draws the line: > **[How to access NHS services in England if you are visiting from abroad](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/visiting-or-moving-to-england/how-to-access-nhs-services-in-england-if-you-are-visiting-from-abroad/)** > > How to access NHS services in England if you're visiting from abroad. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/157 "2026-05-03T18:47:43Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > They most likely would put some restrictions, such as you have to be a resident of California or whatever state for a certain amount of time. How do you prove residency? > [@PatrickLondon](#): > > If it helps, this explains where NHS England draws the line: Well, yes, but being a National Resident/Citizen comes with ID cards, paperwork, etc. Not as much with being a state resident. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/158 "2026-05-03T18:53:23Z")
I don’t think it would take much to expand the driver’s licence system, which already provides ID cards for non-drivers, into a state ID card. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/159 "2026-05-03T19:38:25Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > I don’t think it would take much to expand the driver’s licence system, which already provides ID cards for non-drivers, into a state ID card It’s a de facto one already. The last time I renewed my license, I had to provide three pieces of documentation: one could be the expiring diver’s license, one was a birth certificate, and one showed I lived in the state, such as a utility bill. Well, I don’t pay my utilities directly and I wasn’t sure about how to satisfy the third requirement. Then I remembered that I donate money to the local medical school and I had a receipt for that right in front of me on my desk. Perfect. ---
**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:** [May 3, 2026, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986/160 "2026-05-03T20:21:47Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > It’s a de facto one already. The last time I renewed my license, I had to provide three pieces of documentation: one could be the expiring diver’s license, one was a birth certificate, and one showed I lived in the state, such as a utility bill. I think that’s the Real ID version, you don’t need that just to renew a regular license. I think you could get a non-Real ID license with just an address where you can receive mail, which wouldn’t necessarily require residency (just a willing friend in the state) plus some other ID like a DL from another state (as if you had moved here). You only need to receive mail because that’s where they will send the license when it is ready. But I think that situation would only be useful for medical care if you lived fairly close to the California border, so that the trip to a California doctor or medical facility would not be too far. You might be willing to travel further for an annual physical, but if you have a condition that requires ongoing care, you’re going to need to see them more often. If you’re having care for a catastrophic chronic condition, you’ll need to be here a lot. Also consider the geography of the state vis-à-vis neighbor states. The areas bordering other states are pretty sparsely populated, with a concomitantly small pool of medical practitioners. Centers of population are in the central valley or on the coast. So you’re looking at long drives or flying. On the other hand, once you have established a relationship with a doctor, you can do a lot with remote visits. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-of-a-new-governor-of-california-2026/1028986.md?page=9)