California Governor's Race is a daily briefing on the 2026 election and the California governor contest. Each episode breaks down candidate backgrounds, campaign strategy, fundraising and polling, with close reads of debates and policy choices shaping California politics. We map Gavin Newsom's role and the paths of challengers across the gubernatorial race, explaining what fundraising reports and legal fights mean for voters. Episodes deliver on-the-ground recaps of campaign events, debate takeaways and interviews with strategists, plus clear explainers of ballot rules and voter impact in the California governor race. This podcast is for voters, reporters and news consumers following the 2026 election who want clear context on polling trends and the forces that will decide the next governor.
Newsom’s Last Budget Shadows California’s 2026 Governor Race — July 02, 2026
California governor race gets a fiscal frame as Gavin Newsom signs his final $352 billion budget, while polling still shows Xavier Becerra well ahead of Steve Hilton and new scrutiny follows Newsom’s orbit.
In this episode:
Top stories:
1. Newsom signs $352B spending plan and reflects on signature policies before he leaves office — SFGATE
https://www.sfgate.com/news/politics/article/newsom-signs-352b-spending-plan-and-reflects-on-22326254.php
2. 2026 Polls: California Governor - 270toWin — 270toWin
https://www.270towin.com/2026-governor-polls/california
3. Step Back: California doesn’t run separate Democratic and Republican primaries for governor — it uses a top-two system — so how did that shape a Becerra-Hilton November matchup, and what does it mean for voters who don’t feel represented by either choice?
4. Peculiar primary system forced the GOP to get strategic - Ceres Courier — Ceres Courier
https://www.cerescourier.com/opinion/editorial/peculiar-primary-system-forced-the-gop-to-get-strategic/
5. California Matters: What the federal probe of Newsom and the first partner means for his presidential ambitions | Opinion | mtdemocrat.com — Mountain Democrat
https://www.mtdemocrat.com/opinion/california-matters-what-the-federal-probe-of-newsom-and-the-first-partner-means-for-his/article_0d320647-959c-4e0c-8199-2fd4f24b9179.html
Follow and rate California Governor's Race on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Feedback? Email california-governors-race@lanternpodcasts.com
1 Jul 2026
California Tax Fatigue Hits the 2026 Ballot — July 01, 2026
California ballot measures are running into voter tax fatigue, with Dan Walters pointing to polling that complicates new levies as budget deficits and 2026 campaign fights collide.
In this episode:
Top stories:
1. From the desk of…Voters in deep blue California are souring on ballot measures that add new taxes – The Ukiah Daily Journal — Ukiah Daily Journal
https://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/2026/06/30/from-the-desk-of-voters-in-deep-blue-california-are-souring-on-ballot-measures-that-add-new-taxes/
Follow and rate California Governor's Race on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Feedback? Email california-governors-race@lanternpodcasts.com
30 Jun 2026
Newsom’s Budget Finale Meets Campaign Influencer Scrutiny — June 30, 2026
Gavin Newsom signed a $352 billion final California budget that delays social-service cuts with tax hikes and AI revenue assumptions, giving California’s outgoing governor a fiscal record to sell as campaign watchdogs scrutinize paid influencer posts for Tom Steyer.
In this episode:
Top stories:
1. See what’s in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s final California budget — CalMatters
https://calmatters.org/politics/2026/06/california-gavin-newsom-final-budget-deal/
2. Bessette Pitney Text: Social Media Influencers in the CA Governor Race — Bessette Pitney
http://www.bessettepitney.net/2026/05/social-media-influencers-in-ca-governor.html
Follow and rate California Governor's Race on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Feedback? Email california-governors-race@lanternpodcasts.com
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