What has the California Legislature and Gov. Gavin Newsom achieved nicely, and what may very well be achieved otherwise?
CBS Information California Investigates correspondent Julie Watts requested every of the candidates working for California governor.
For this sequence, Watts interviewed greater than a dozen gubernatorial candidates, urgent them on greater than a a number of points that matter to voters.
Learn on to see what every candidate thinks Newsom has achieved proper and to be taught what they’d do otherwise.
Xavier Becerra
Xavier Becerra, a former California lawyer normal who served as Well being and Human Companies secretary within the Biden administration, is one other Democrat trying to substitute Gov. Newsom in 2026. Becerra stated Newsom deserves extra credit score for strengthening the state’s economic system and defined why California’s redistricting effort is critical. On what he’d do otherwise, Becerra stated he would have acted extra shortly than Newsom on addressing points like with California’s high-speed rail venture and the statewide housing disaster. Watch Becerra’s response right here.
Chad Bianco
Sheriff Chad Bianco of Riverside County is likely one of the Republicans working for California governor in 2026. Bianco stated the one factor he believes Newsom has achieved nicely is “appearing like a Republican” in what he says is the governor’s bid for the White Home. Bianco added that he could not consider a single factor the state Legislature has achieved proper throughout his seven years as sheriff. Watch Bianco’s response right here.
Ian Calderon
Ian Calderon, a enterprise proprietor and former state Meeting majority chief, is working as a Democrat in California’s 2026 gubernatorial race. Calderon praised Newsom for his efforts to deal with California’s housing disaster and the legislature for specializing in addressing on-line security for kids. Calderon stated he does imagine the State of California has “misplaced the plot,” which means that state leaders ought to focus extra on California points somewhat than what is going on on in Washington, D.C. Watch Calderon’s response right here.
Steve Hilton
Public coverage knowledgeable Steve Hilton is likely one of the Republicans working for California governor. Hilton stated the factor he most agrees with Newsom on is limiting smartphone use in colleges. If elected, Hilton stated he would work to enhance California’s rising housing prices, which he stated he believes is the highest purpose why residents are leaving the state. Watch Hilton’s response right here.
Katie Porter
Client safety lawyer and legislation professor Katie Porter is among the many lengthy checklist of Democrats working to interchange Gov. Newsom subsequent yr. Porter praised Newsom for making college lunches free via the governor’s common meals program. Porter stated, if she had been governor, she would work to carry down housing prices statewide. Watch Porter’s response right here.
Tom Steyer
Democrat Tom Steyer, a local weather activist and philanthropist, was one of many later additions to the candidate pool in California’s 2026 gubernatorial race. Steyer praised Gov. Newsom for what he describes as “masterfully” mocking the president of their public exchanges to “present the madness of Donald Trump.” Steyer additionally provided some criticism directed at how the governor dealt with a current finances surplus. Watch Steyer’s response right here.
Eric Swalwell
Democratic candidate Eric Swalwell’s leap into the governor’s race adopted the bowing out of fellow Democratic candidate Stephen Cloobeck. The U.S. congressman and former prosecutor referred to as Gov. Gavin Newsom “a protector” that Californians are fortunate to have, significantly towards the federal authorities. On the Legislature, Swalwell stated a purpose of his could be to diversify the place California will get its income. Watch Swalwell’s response right here.
Tony Thurmond
California’s Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond stated he’s working for governor as a result of “California is at a vital inflection level” that might result in prosperity or additional decline. Thurmond, a Democrat, lauded Gov. Newsom for being a artistic thinker and for his investments in public schooling. Thurmond stated, if elected, he would work to enhance California’s insurance coverage disaster and create extra inexpensive housing. Watch Thurmond’s response right here.
Antonio Villaraigosa
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, a Democrat, stated he’s working for California governor to provide the state a pacesetter who’s “a confirmed downside solver.” Villaraigosa criticized Newsom’s resolution to maintain children out of faculties for so long as he did throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Villaraigosa stated two issues Newsom and the state Legislature obtained proper had been well being care and youngster care. Watch Villaraigosa’s response right here.
Butch Ware
The one Inexperienced Social gathering candidate working for governor is College of California professor Butch Ware. Ware stated two of his largest critiques of the Newsom administration are the governor’s response to immigration raids throughout the state and his failure to deal with the homeless disaster. Ware stated he would not agree with Newsom’s use of social media to problem the Trump administration, however appreciated the governor’s effort to combat again. Watch Ware’s response right here.
Betty Yee
Former State Controller Betty Yee is one other Democrat working for California governor. Yee counseled Gov. Newsom’s capability to be current throughout key points just like the COVID-19 pandemic. On how she would enhance upon Newsom’s time as governor, Yee stated she would enhance California’s fiscal accountability. Watch Yee’s response right here.
Leo Zacky
Enterprise proprietor Leo Zacky is likely one of the few Republicans in California’s gubernatorial race. Zacky stated he is working for governor to “carry widespread sense options to avoid wasting my dwelling state.” Zacy stated there hasn’t been a single factor Gov. Newsom or the state Legislature has achieved nicely during the last seven years. Zacky particularly criticized California for elevating the minimal wage for quick meals staff. Watch Zacky’s response right here.
Toni Atkins
Former California State Senate President Professional Tem Toni Atkins was one of many high-profile Democrats working to interchange Gov. Newsom when he phrases out in 2026. On September 29, Atkins introduced she was dropping out of the race, saying that “there isn’t a viable path ahead” regardless of the help she has acquired.
In her sit-down with Watts, the San Diego resident praised Newsom’s effort to go “toe-to-toe” with the Trump administration and Texas by redrawing California’s congressional districts. Atkins additionally stated that, if elected, one in every of her largest priorities could be addressing well being care. Watch Atkins’ response right here.
Stephen J. Cloobeck
One other Democrat who had regarded to interchange Gov. Newsom in 2026 was enterprise government Stephen J. Cloobeck. Cloobeck has since dropped out of the race, endorsing new Democratic candidate Eric Swalwell in his exit.
Cloobeck, who stated what he believes Newsom has achieved nicely as governor is being energetic within the public and communities. On why he is within the gubernatorial race, Cloobeck stated he is “sick and drained” of the Trump administration “making us look foolish.” Watch Cloobeck’s response right here.
CBS Information California Investigates correspondent Julie Watts moderated a current gubernatorial schooling discussion board, hosted by Asian Pacific American Public Affairs and Sacramento State College. You may watch the discussion board right here.
This ongoing political accountability sequence lets viewers evaluate the top-polling candidates for California governor aspect by aspect via a wide range of issue-specific segments. CBS Information California Investigates sat down with the 12 top-polling candidates to debate greater than a dozen points that matter to voters.
The subject-specific segments enable viewers to pick out the problems that matter most to them individually. The accountability-focused format pushes past marketing campaign speaking factors to disclose how candidates reply to nuanced follow-up questions and opposing viewpoints.
The primary issue-specific phase, the place candidates mentioned California’s controversial Prop 50 redistricting measure, led to a viral Katie Porter interview clip and impacted the trajectory of the governor’s race. Porter’s response stood out not simply due to what she stated, but additionally as a result of the distinctive interview format revealed how it dramatically differed from these of the opposite candidates.
The “One Query” segments introduce voters to every candidate and supply distinctive perception into how they could govern, as they clarify what they assume the present governor and legislature did proper, and what they’d have achieved otherwise.
The “side-by-side” issue-specific segments enable viewers to match the candidates’ differing viewpoints and plans, focusing particularly on the problems that matter most to them. The preliminary subjects embody redistricting, reaching voters throughout the aisle, precept vs. politics, sanctuary state polices, well being care for undocumented immigrants, and transgender athletes at school sports activities.
Upcoming segments will characteristic points associated to crime & felony justice reform, the affect of environmental legal guidelines on California gasoline costs, homelessness, housing affordability, high-speed rail, and extra.
Watch the total sequence on this CBS Information California Investigates YouTube playlist.
