Unions start endorsing their top picks in crowded California governor’s race
Organized labor has made its first ventures into the race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is termed out of office and cannot run again after November.
Democrats, who maintain a supermajority in the Legislature and outnumber Republicans among registered voters at a 2-1 margin, have not coalesced around a single candidate, with less than two weeks to the filing deadline. None of the major candidates running netted enough votes to win the state party’s endorsement at its convention last weekend. Nor have the most powerful unions, like SEIU California or the California Labor Federation, an alliance of 1,200 unions that represents 2 million workers in the private and public sectors, weighed in.
While still waiting to make its official endorsement, SEIU California said Tuesday that it would oppose three gubernatorial candidates: Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and Fox News host Steve Hilton, both Republicans, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, a Democrat.
SEIU California has not endorsed a Republican for governor since 1964. Mahan, while a Democrat, has often opposed labor in his career as San Jose mayor. He has pitched himself as a moderate, drawing support from Silicon Valley moguls across the political spectrum. One of his earliest supporters was Joe Lonsdale, a Palantir co-founder and Trump supporter who donated to Mahan’s campaign the maximum $39,200 allowed under state finance laws.
“Anti-worker interests are already pouring millions into the coffers of these corporate candidates to preserve a status quo where corporations keep writing the rules,” SEIU California President David Huerta said Tuesday. “Given the high stakes for working people and our democracy and freedoms, SEIU members urge candidates who have not built the coalition, campaign, and resources to compete in a statewide race of this magnitude to seriously reconsider their candidacy and re-focus their leadership on advancing a more just and equitable future for California’s working families.”
A handful of labor groups have thrown their weight behind candidates in both the governor’s race and some competitive congressional races.
United Domestic Workers, a union partly founded by Cesar Chavez that represents over 200,000 home care and child care workers statewide, said Wednesday that its executive board had voted to endorse Tom Steyer, a San Francisco climate change activist.
“Mr. Steyer has brought forward an impressive plan to not only protect but invest in the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and family child care programs, which serve over one million Californians and their families,” UDW Executive Director Doug Moore said in a statement. “Mr. Steyer understands the system is rigged against working families and will fight for the change we need.”
Steyer has pitched himself as a progressive billionaire running to increase taxes on the state’s wealthiest people and make life more affordable for the middle and lower classes facing a housing crunch, homelessness and high cost of living. In a statement, he said he was “proud” to receive UDW’s support.
“Home and child care workers are the backbone of California’s communities and among the most essential workers in our state, showing up every single day to care for children, seniors and people with disabilities with dignity and compassion,” Steyer said. “Together, we will close corporate tax loopholes like the Trump Tax Loophole so that billionaires pay their fair share and we build a California that truly values care workers and the people they serve.”
LiUNA endorses Bains in congressional race
The Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 220, a Bakersfield-based construction workers’ union, backed Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains, a moderate Central Valley Democrat running to unseat Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford, in the 22nd Congressional District.
“Dr. Bains understands the challenges our members face and is committed to creating good-paying union jobs, protecting workers’ rights, and investing in the infrastructure that keeps our communities going,” LiUNA Local 220 business manager Hertz Ramirez said Wednesday. “She’s a proven fighter for working families, and we’re proud to stand with her in the fight for the Valley’s future.”
Bains also has support from SEIU California and SEIU-United Health Workers, a health care union that is separate from SEIU California but under the same parent union. In the Democratic primary, she faces progressive challenger Randy Villegas, who has picked up support from the California Teachers Association.
This story was originally published February 25, 2026 at 12:36 PM.
