As Governor Newsom’s term expires, California residents are searching for a candidate who checks all the boxes. One who can lead the nation through the largest drawbacks. With a wide-open, heavily competitive range of prospects, controversial campaigns, and California’s distinctive “top two’ primary system, the approaching election is set to be a noteworthy one.
The “top two” primary system is a nonpartisan (non-party-aligned) election system where all the candidates are on the ballot, regardless of their political affiliation. The top two candidates subsequently advance to the general election in November. Because California is a democratic state, it’s much more plausible to have democrat vs democrat in the general election. However, this may not be the case for 2026.
Democratic front-runner Katie Porter, an American politician and lawyer, has caught the scrutiny of the public eye due to a series of videos that have resurfaced from 2021. In these videos, Porter is seen ridiculing reporters and berating staff members. A debate has sparked between voters, some questioning her character while others probe her lack of integrity. Regardless, many still see Porter’s priorities as enticing. Defending healthcare, keeping the cost of living down, and building more houses to keep Californians off the streets have won her favor.
Freshman student Chelsea Gu said, “Even with the recent controversies, I still support Porter because she focuses on policies that actually affect people’s lives, like healthcare and housing. That’s what matters most. And I feel like she is going to fight for those priorities.”
On the other side of the political spectrum, conservative commentator and ex-Fox host Steve Hilton has entered the race to ¨make California Golden again¨. Hilton aims to reduce taxes for workers, end the bureaucratic war on business, and focus on education. Despite his positive populist campaign, countless voters have recognized the stark contrast between his message and his extremely out-of-touch lifestyle in Silicon Valley.
Following Hilton on the right wing is Chad Bianco, an American law enforcement officer who has served as sheriff in Riverside County, California, since 2019. Bianco aspires to restore balance to our criminal justice system, cut taxes, focus on school safety, and secure the state’s borders. However, Bianco has faced criticism from the public due to the low crime-solving and high jail death rates under his leadership. Bianco’s record as sheriff remains a central talking point among both his supporters and opponents.
With housing, education, and homelessness all on the line, the citizens are desperate for a candidate who will bring about change for the state. They have to make a crucial decision: picking who will lead California to the prosperous future voters know it can have.
