The Race for California Governor is Anyone’s Game, Except Kamala Harris originally appeared on L.A. Mag.
With Kamala Harris officially forgoing a possible gubernatorial run, next year’s election for California governor is seemingly wide open.
Experts say that without a clear frontrunner — a title which likely would have been Harris’ given her enduring relevance — it’s anyone’s to lose. Here’s a list of all the known candidates to lead California into the next term.
Former U.S. Congresswoman Katie Porter announced her candidacy in March of this year, running on a platform to improve the state’s healthcare, costs, climate protection and immigrant communities. She raised a steady $3 million between March and June, and secured another $250,000 in the aftershocks of the Harris withdrawal — creating a record total in the 36 hours following Harris’ announcement, according to a report from POLITICO.
Xavier Becerra, the runner-up in campaign earnings, is just a third or so shy of his opponent, raking in a total $2.1 million from various donors since announcing his gubernatorial bid. The U.S. health secretary for the Biden administration, Becerra certainly has the most experience in the executive branch besides Harris. He has a decades-long resume in California politics, extending from state assembly to Attorney General. His campaign emphasizes living wages for hard workers, affordable lives for families and safer cities and towns.
Antonio Villaraigosa, former Los Angeles mayor and leader of the California Assembly, is trailing behind in donations but still showing an optimistic perspective. He’s running on campaign promises that protect the middle class, while also emphasizing safety, improved schools and better support for small businesses.
The Democratic candidates still waiting on some momentum are as follows: Toni Atkins, former legislative leader with support from the electrical workers’ union; former controller Betty Yee who’s yet to surpass campaign costs with public donations; Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, Nancy Pelosi’s reported favorite to win; eccentric billionaire Stephen J. Cloobeck who plans to spend over $10 billion on a campaign that hasn’t raised $200,000; and largely unknown social worker Tony Thurmond.
There are two names for the Republican Party, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Fox News host Steve Hilton. It’s only a worry for Democrats who may consider splitting the vote, experts say, and both candidates celebrated Harris’ departure, slamming her past leadership in the process.
This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Aug 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
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