California June 2026 Primary
California's top-two nonpartisan primary election is on June 2, 2026. The top two vote-getters in each race — regardless of party — advance to the November general election.
This guide covers statewide races and ballot measures, plus federal and state legislative races relevant to San Francisco voters. Endorsements are coming soon — check back as we add our analysis.
How To Vote
Your county elections office will begin mailing ballots by May 4, 2026. Vote centers open for early in-person voting on May 23, 2026. The filing deadline for candidates is March 6, 2026, so the candidate lists below may change.
Vote by mail
- Mail your ballot no later than Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026
Vote in person
- Vote at your local vote center or polling place on Election Day, Tuesday June 2, 2026
Statewide Races
Statewide Offices
Governor
TopGovernor Gavin Newsom is term-limited and cannot run again. This is the most competitive race on the ballot, with a large field of candidates from both parties vying to lead the state.
The top two vote-getters in June will advance to the November general election, regardless of party. With so many Democrats running, it's possible two Democrats advance.
Our endorsement analysis is coming soon.
Who's running?
| Candidate | Party | Profession | Questionnaire |
|---|---|---|---|
Xavier Becerra | Democratic | Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services | No questionnaire sent |
Chad Bianco | Republican | Riverside County Sheriff | No questionnaire sent |
Ian Calderon | Democratic | Former Assemblymember | No questionnaire sent |
Steve Hilton | Republican | Former Fox News Host | No questionnaire sent |
Matt Mahan | Democratic | Mayor of San Jose | No questionnaire sent |
Katie Porter | Democratic | Former U.S. Representative | No questionnaire sent |
Tom Steyer | Democratic | Investor / Climate Activist | No questionnaire sent |
Eric Swalwell | Democratic | U.S. Representative | No questionnaire sent |
Tony Thurmond | Democratic | State Superintendent of Public Instruction | No questionnaire sent |
Antonio Villaraigosa | Democratic | Former Mayor of Los Angeles | No questionnaire sent |
Butch Ware | Green | Professor | No questionnaire sent |
Betty Yee | Democratic | Former State Controller | No questionnaire sent |
Lieutenant Governor
TopIncumbent Eleni Kounalakis is term-limited and is running for State Treasurer instead, leaving this seat open.
Our endorsement analysis is coming soon.
Who's running?
| Candidate | Party | Profession | Questionnaire |
|---|---|---|---|
Josh Fryday | Democratic | Chief Service Officer for Governor Newsom | No questionnaire sent |
Fiona Ma | Democratic | State Treasurer | No questionnaire sent |
Mike Schaefer | Democratic | Member, State Board of Equalization | No questionnaire sent |
Michael Tubbs | Democratic | Former Mayor of Stockton | No questionnaire sent |
Attorney General
TopIncumbent Rob Bonta is running for re-election. Additional candidates may file before the March 6 deadline.
Our endorsement analysis is coming soon.
Who's running?
| Candidate | Party | Profession | Questionnaire |
|---|---|---|---|
Rob Bonta | Democratic | Incumbent Attorney General | No questionnaire sent |
Secretary of State
TopIncumbent Shirley Weber is running for re-election. Additional candidates may file before the March 6 deadline.
Our endorsement analysis is coming soon.
Who's running?
| Candidate | Party | Profession | Questionnaire |
|---|---|---|---|
Shirley Weber | Democratic | Incumbent Secretary of State | No questionnaire sent |
State Controller
TopIncumbent Malia Cohen is running for re-election. Additional candidates may file before the March 6 deadline.
Our endorsement analysis is coming soon.
Who's running?
| Candidate | Party | Profession | Questionnaire |
|---|---|---|---|
Malia Cohen | Democratic | Incumbent State Controller | No questionnaire sent |
State Treasurer
TopIncumbent Fiona Ma is term-limited, leaving this seat open. Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis is among the declared candidates.
Our endorsement analysis is coming soon.
Who's running?
| Candidate | Party | Profession | Questionnaire |
|---|---|---|---|
Anna Caballero | Democratic | State Senator | No questionnaire sent |
Eleni Kounalakis | Democratic | Lieutenant Governor | No questionnaire sent |
Tony Vazquez | Democratic | Member, State Board of Equalization; Former Mayor of Santa Monica | No questionnaire sent |
Insurance Commissioner
TopIncumbent Ricardo Lara is term-limited, leaving this seat open. The role has gained increased scrutiny following the devastating wildfires of recent years.
Our endorsement analysis is coming soon.
Who's running?
| Candidate | Party | Profession | Questionnaire |
|---|---|---|---|
Ben Allen | Democratic | State Senator | No questionnaire sent |
Steven Bradford | Democratic | Former State Senator | No questionnaire sent |
Stacy Korsgaden | Republican | Insurance Agent | No questionnaire sent |
Patrick Wolff | Democratic | Business Executive / Chess Grandmaster | No questionnaire sent |
Superintendent of Public Instruction
TopIncumbent Tony Thurmond is term-limited and is running for Governor instead. This is a nonpartisan office — candidates do not list party affiliation on the ballot. Candidates are expected to file before the March 6 deadline.
Our endorsement analysis is coming soon.
Who's running?
| Candidate | Profession | Questionnaire |
|---|---|---|
Al Muratsuchi | Assemblymember | No questionnaire sent |
Josh Newman | Former State Senator | No questionnaire sent |
Anthony Rendon | Former Assembly Speaker | No questionnaire sent |
Sonja Shaw | School Board President, Chino Valley USD | No questionnaire sent |
San Francisco Federal & State Legislative Races
Federal
U.S. House — District 11
TopNancy Pelosi announced she will leave Congress in January 2027, making this an open seat for the first time in nearly 40 years. This is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched races in California.
Our endorsement analysis is coming soon.
Who's running?
| Candidate | Party | Profession | Questionnaire |
|---|---|---|---|
Saikat Chakrabarti | Democratic | Entrepreneur / Former Congressional Chief of Staff | No questionnaire sent |
Connie Chan | Democratic | San Francisco Supervisor | No questionnaire sent |
Scott Wiener | Democratic | State Senator | No questionnaire sent |
State Legislature
State Assembly — District 17
TopIncumbent Matt Haney represents eastern San Francisco. Additional candidates may file before the March 6 deadline.
Our endorsement analysis is coming soon.
Who's running?
| Candidate | Party | Profession | Questionnaire |
|---|---|---|---|
Matt Haney | Democratic | Incumbent Assemblymember | No questionnaire sent |
State Assembly — District 19
TopIncumbent Catherine Stefani represents western San Francisco. Additional candidates may file before the March 6 deadline.
Our endorsement analysis is coming soon.
Who's running?
| Candidate | Party | Profession | Questionnaire |
|---|---|---|---|
Catherine Stefani | Democratic | Incumbent Assemblymember | No questionnaire sent |
Statewide Ballot Measures
Qualified Measures
Three measures have qualified for the June 2026 ballot so far. Additional measures may qualify before the election.
🔍 Endorsement Coming Soon on Proposition ACA 13
TopVoting Thresholds for Initiatives
What is it?
ACA 13 is a constitutional amendment referred by the state legislature. It would require that any ballot initiative proposing a supermajority voting threshold must itself pass by that same threshold. For example, an initiative requiring a two-thirds vote to raise taxes would itself need two-thirds of voters to approve it.
Why is it on the ballot?
According to Article XVIII of the California Constitution, amendments to the California Constitution initiated by the State Legislature must first be approved by a supermajority of both houses and the amendment must then be approved by voters with a simple majority of 50% + 1.
This measure was originally placed on the 2024 ballot but was moved to the 2026 ballot.
Our endorsement analysis is coming soon.
🔍 Endorsement Coming Soon on Proposition SCA 1
TopRecall Elections: Eliminate Successor Election
What is it?
SCA 1 is a constitutional amendment referred by the state legislature. It would change how recall elections for state officers work by eliminating the successor election — the part of the ballot where voters choose who would replace the recalled official. Under SCA 1, if a recall succeeds, the normal line of succession would apply instead of a simultaneous replacement election.
Why is it on the ballot?
According to Article XVIII of the California Constitution, amendments to the California Constitution initiated by the State Legislature must first be approved by a supermajority of both houses and the amendment must then be approved by voters with a simple majority of 50% + 1.
Our endorsement analysis is coming soon.
🔍 Endorsement Coming Soon on Proposition SB 42
TopCalifornia Fair Elections Act of 2026
What is it?
SB 42, the California Fair Elections Act of 2026, would authorize public financing for state and local election campaigns. This means candidates could receive government funds to help finance their campaigns, subject to certain conditions and limits.
Why is it on the ballot?
According to Article II, Section 8 of the California Constitution, citizens may introduce statutes (laws) by collecting signatures (5% of the votes cast in the most recent Governor's race). The statute must then be approved by voters with a simple majority of 50% + 1.
Our endorsement analysis is coming soon.