Everything to know about the California 2026 primary
Ballots for the June 2 primary are arriving in mailboxes across Sacramento and California. While some high-profile races are drawing broad attention, much of what’s on the ballot is closer to home, including legislative seats, school boards and local measures that could influence public policy for years. Statewide, certain races could redefine the political landscape because of Proposition 50’s passage. This guide breaks down the major races and issues, offering context and key details to help you make informed choices before Election Day.
Statewide races
Governor
Eight major candidates are competing in a crowded, high-stakes race to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom. A late-stage debate and recent shakeups could reshape the volatile field before voting begins.
Lt. Governor
Five viable candidates with low name recognition are vying in the primary for lieutenant governor, a largely ceremonial role. Fundraising strength and high-profile endorsements could determine which two hopefuls advance.
Secretary of State
The Secretary of State race features an incumbent Democrat with a clear advantage in a heavily blue state. The office oversees elections and business filings, and has served as a springboard to higher office.
Attorney General
Three candidates are competing to become California’s attorney general, the state’s top law enforcement official. The position carries broad legal authority and frequently places its holder at the center of major political and policy fights.
State Treasurer
Six candidates are running for state treasurer, who manages California’s finances and investment portfolios. The next officeholder will help navigate budget deficits and fund major infrastructure and public programs.
State Controller
Incumbent controller Malia Cohen faces two challengers in a low-profile race. The office oversees state spending, audits agencies and will confront payroll system issues.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Eight candidates are competing for state superintendent of public instruction, a nonpartisan role shaping education policy. The next schools chief could see the job’s authority reduced under a proposed overhaul by Newsom.
Insurance Commissioner
More than 10 candidates are competing for insurance commissioner, a high-pressure role overseeing a troubled market. Frustration over rising costs and coverage gaps has made it one of the most crowded statewide races.
Board of Equalization, 1st District
Voters will choose a new Board of Equalization member for a sprawling district covering much of inland California. The board retains a limited tax oversight role, and one candidate holds a clear fundraising edge.
Congress
1st House District
Three leading candidates are competing in a Northern California congressional race complicated by a special election and redistricting. Voters could cast ballots multiple times before November to fill both a short-term and full-term seat.
3rd House District
Seven candidates are competing in a redrawn congressional district that has shifted toward Democrats after redistricting. An incumbent member of Congress leads in fundraising, but the new boundaries have shaped the race’s political balance.
4th House District
Incumbent Rep. Mike Thompson faces a well-funded Democratic challenger, Eric Jones, in a newly redrawn district that stretches from Napa through Yolo County and into the Sacramento Valley.
5th House District
Three Democrats are competing to challenge longtime Republican Rep. Tom McClintock in a right-leaning district. The incumbent holds a clear fundraising advantage in a race shaped by redistricting.
6th House District
Rep. Kevin Kiley, who recently changed his party registration from Republican to Independent, will compete against a crowded field of Democrats in the newly drawn 6th District.
7th House District
Longtime Rep. Doris Matsui faces a significant primary challenge from Sacramento Councilmember Mai Vang in a safely Democratic district. The race highlights a broader generational divide within the party.
9th House District
Incumbent Rep. Josh Harder is heavily favored in a newly redrawn Central Valley district, facing Republican challengers for a seat that's expected to remain safely Democratic after recent boundary changes.
13th House District
Incumbent Rep. Adam Gray faces two Republican challengers in a closely watched Central Valley swing district. Despite a Democratic tilt after redistricting, the race remains competitive and nationally targeted.
22th House District
Rep. David Valadao faces two Democratic challengers in a closely watched Central Valley battleground, where shifting voter registration has kept the race competitive despite the Republican incumbent's fundraising advantage.
Legislature
4th Senate District
Incumbent Marie Alvarado-Gil, now a Republican, faces a competitive challenge from within her party and a Democratic contender in a GOP-leaning Sierra district. Her party switch, and fundraising gaps, have shaped the race.
6th Senate District
Republican Sen. Roger Niello faces two lesser-known Democratic challengers in a closely divided suburban district. The incumbent holds significant fundraising and name recognition advantages heading into the primary.
8th Senate District
Incumbent Sen. Angelique Ashby faces minimal opposition in a Sacramento-area district, entering the race with strong fundraising and leadership standing in the Legislature.
1st Assembly District
Three candidates are competing in a heavily Republican north state Assembly district, where the GOP incumbent holds a fundraising edge. The top two vote-getters in June will advance to the general election.
3rd Assembly District
Three Republicans are competing in a rare open Assembly seat in this solidly red Northern California district.
5th Assembly District
Incumbent Republican Joe Patterson faces a rematch against Democrat Neva Parker in a district that covers parts of Placer and El Dorado counties. Patterson holds a significant fundraising advantage after winning the seat in 2024.
6th Assembly District
Democratic incumbent Maggy Krell faces minimal opposition in this Sacramento-area district. With a large fundraising edge, she is expected to maintain an advantage in what is already a two-candidate race.
4th Assembly District
Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry is running unopposed in a district that spans Napa, Yolo and surrounding counties. She's expected to secure another term, as she pushes policy on agriculture, social programs and antitrust issues.
7th Assembly District
With one candidate for each major party, the primary likely serves as a preview of a competitive general election in this swing district. Republican incumbent Josh Hoover holds a significant fundraising advantage in the fight for this Sacramento-area seat.
8th Assembly District
Republican David Tangipa is running unopposed for reelection in a district that encompasses parts of the Central Valley and the Sierra. The first-term lawmaker has emerged as a vocal critic of Democratic leadership.
9th Assembly District
Incumbent Republican Heath Flora faces multiple challengers in a Central Valley district, including a rival with strong endorsements from within the GOP.
10th Assembly District
Incumbent Democrat Stephanie Nguyen is favored in a rematch against Republican Vinaya Singh in a safely blue Sacramento-area district. Both candidates will advance from the primary to November.
Sacramento County
Sacramento City Council, 7th District
Longtime Councilmember Rick Jennings faces two lesser-known challengers in a south Sacramento district representing the Pocket, Greenhaven and Land Park.
Board of Supervisors, 1st District
Four candidates are competing to replace longtime Supervisor Phil Serna, opening a rare contest for a seat that shapes decisions on homelessness, public safety and a multibillion-dollar county budget.
Board of Supervisors, 2nd District
Incumbent Patrick Kennedy is seeking a fourth term representing Land Park and other parts of south Sacramento, facing two lesser-known challengers in a race centered on homelessness and housing.
Sacramento City Council, 1st District
Mayor Kevin McCarty’s endorsement has reshaped an otherwise low-key race in North Natomas City, where incumbent Lisa Kaplan faces a challenge from former FBI specialist Jenn Chawla, alongside a lesser-known third candidate.
Sacramento City Council, 5th District
Covering neighborhoods like Oak Park and Parkway, Sacramento’s 5th District race features incumbent Caity Maple facing two challengers as she seeks a second term.
County Board of Education
Six candidates are competing for two open seats, with charter school oversight and the search for a new county superintendent looming over the races.
Twin Rivers Unified School Board
Three candidates are running for an open seat in this northern Sacramento school district just weeks after a 12-day teachers strike put its labor tensions and budget challenges in sharp focus.
Capital region
Placer County Board of Supervisors, 1st District
Bonnie Gore is running unopposed for another term representing west Roseville and Dry Creek, with housing growth, open space and health care costs top of mind.
Placer County Board of Supervisors, 2nd District
Incumbent Shanti Landon faces her former ally, Lincoln Councilmember Holly Andreatta, in a contentious 2nd District race shaped by differences over a proposed homeless respite center.
Yolo County Board of Supervisors
A costly budget shortfall is looming in the 3rd District race to represent Woodland and parts of West Sacramento, where three candidates are vying to replace Mary Sandy Dixie.
Davis Measure V
Davis’ long-running growth tensions come to a head with a ballot measure on the Village Farms project, which asks voters to weigh new housing against traffic, environmental concerns and the city’s slow-growth identity.
El Dorado County Board of Supervisors
Four candidates are competing to replace Brooke Laine in the 4th District, which covers Shingle Springs, Coloma and Georgetown, while the 5th District seat is uncontested.
El Dorado County Treasurer
Incumbent Sean Coppola faces challenger Corey Leikauf for El Dorado treasurer-tax collector, with Leikauf holding a fundraising edge in the contest to oversee county finances and tax collection.
Yuba County Board of Supervisors
For the first time in more than a decade, voters in Linda will choose a new 1st District supervisor as two candidates compete to replace the outgoing incumbent.
Sutter County Races
Three Sutter County races will be decided in the June primary, with head-to-head challenges for schools chief, treasurer-tax collector and assessor.
Superior Court Judges
Many local judicial races on California ballots draw little attention, leaving voters to sort through unfamiliar names — and often limited information — when choosing judges. Here's what to know.
El Dorado County Ballot Measures
Four ballot measures in portions of El Dorado County — B, C, E and G — ask voters to renew parcel taxes that fund libraries, fire services and recreation. The proposals target specific communities and services rather than countywide programs.