Overview

• On August 8, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis announced she was ending her 2026 gubernatorial bid to focus on a state treasurer campaign overseeing California’s financial assets and infrastructure financing boards.
• An Emerson College survey conducted August 4–5 finds former Rep. Katie Porter leading with 18 percent support and Republican Steve Hilton at 12 percent while 38 percent of likely primary voters remain undecided.
• With former Vice President Kamala Harris already out of the race, the candidate roster covers major Democrats — Xavier Becerra, Toni Atkins, Antonio Villaraigosa, Betty Yee, Tony Thurmond and Katie Porter — and Republicans Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.
• California’s nonpartisan jungle primary advances the top two vote-getters to the general election regardless of party, amplifying the value of cross-partisan fundraising and voter outreach.
• Republicans have not won a statewide office in California since Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 2006 reelection, underscoring the uphill challenge GOP contenders face in the open race.