California’s impending election could see the state elect its first Mexican American governor, Xavier Becerra. This development would represent a significant shift toward representative leadership, addressing the historical underrepresentation of the state’s substantial Latino population, which comprises 41% of residents despite its considerable economic contributions.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California, alongside law firm Cooley LLP, filed an amicus brief in support of California’s legal challenge to Shasta County’s Measure B, contending that the proposed ballot initiative would significantly restrict voter access by eliminating vote-by-mail and early voting options, while mandating photo identification at polling places.
California voters are poised to consider a November ballot measure proposing a one-time 5% tax on residents with a net worth exceeding $1 billion. Proponents assert the levy, projected to generate $100 billion over five years, would fund state healthcare, education, and food support programs. The measure seeks to mitigate anticipated funding shortfalls attributed to recent federal legislative changes.
The California Voting Rights Act of 2026 passed the State Senate on May 22, advancing legislation intended to protect Californians from voter suppression and dilution while simultaneously expanding ballot access for historically underrepresented communities.
The Consumer Federation of California (CFC) formally endorsed Katie Porter and Tom Steyer in advance of California’s June 2 primary election. The organization cited both candidates’ demonstrated engagement with consumer protection policy and their proposed solutions addressing affordability concerns impacting residents statewide.
A complaint lodged with the California Fair Political Practices Commission alleges Tom Steyer’s gubernatorial campaign violated state transparency statutes by failing to properly disclose paid political influencer content across social media platforms. Filed by attorney Nick Rowley on behalf of social media creator Margaret “Maggie” Reed, the complaint asserts the campaign engaged influencers without informing them of mandated disclosure obligations, thereby obscuring paid political communications from public view.
Candidate Jane Kim initiated a six-figure advertising campaign, ‘The Commissionah,’ featuring an endorsement from Senator Bernie Sanders, in direct response to nearly $1 million in attack advertisements funded by utility corporations PG&E, Edison, and Sempra, alongside a $1 million contribution from Chris Larsen supporting her opponent, Ben Allen.
California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra faces renewed scrutiny regarding his tenure as Attorney General, specifically for his office’s efforts to adjust a Black man’s IQ score in a death penalty case, alongside criticisms of his record on police accountability and the influence of law enforcement entities.
The California Supreme Court is poised to review a lawsuit initiated by the UCLA Voting Rights Project on behalf of four Riverside County voters. The legal challenge centers on allegations that Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco unlawfully seized voter ballots during the November 2025 statewide election.
The 2026 California gubernatorial contest features four prominent Democratic candidates, each presenting credible pro-housing platforms. These contenders are actively competing to establish themselves as the leading advocate for housing abundance, a central issue amidst the state’s persistent affordability crisis, according to a recent analysis by California YIMBY.
Columnist Robin Abcarian, in a Los Angeles Times column, identified Tom Steyer as the strongest candidate in California’s gubernatorial contest. Her assessment highlighted Steyer’s environmental platform, support for a billionaire tax, advocacy for closing the corporate property tax loophole, and his call for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Tom Steyer has received endorsements from two major housing advocacy organizations, YIMBY Action and Abundant Housing LA, for his plan to address California’s housing crisis and expand affordability statewide.
California State Sen. Sabrina Cervantes announced the California Voting Rights Act of 2026, which aims to expand voting access and address voter suppression, particularly for minority communities and voters with limited English proficiency, has advanced in the Senate.
Our Revolution, a progressive group founded by Bernie Sanders, has endorsed Tom Steyer for California governor, citing concerns that a divided Democratic field could benefit Republicans.
The California Teachers Association has endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer, who has promised to provide greater funding for public schools by closing corporate tax loopholes and reforming Proposition 13.
Tom Steyer’s campaign for California Governor has released an ad calling for the abolition of ICE and the prosecution of agents accused of unlawful conduct, while outlining his plan to protect vulnerable communities and hold ICE accountable.
The California Donor Table has endorsed a slate of progressive candidates for the June 2026 primaries, including Lauren Babb Tomlinson, Oscar Ortiz, Esmeralda Soria, and Shirley Weber, who have all been advocates for social and reproductive justice, affordable housing, and equity-oriented legislation.
The California Donor Table, a progressive donor network, has called for survivor-centered accountability after Congressman Eric Swalwell resigned from the U.S. House of Representatives and suspended his California gubernatorial campaign amid sexual assault allegations from multiple women.
Tom Steyer, a candidate for governor of California, has called for the state to take aggressive legal action against ICE, including the prosecution and imprisonment of ICE agents and agency leadership over alleged civil rights violations, as well as the creation of a specialized investigative unit to gather evidence of misconduct.
Eric Jones is committed to rejecting corporate PAC money and prioritizing the needs of everyday people, while Representative Mike Thompson has accepted significant financial support from corporate PACs, raising concerns about accountability and trust in government.