California Governor's Race

California Governor's Race — Lantern Podcasts
  • 1.0 (6)
  • Politics
  • Updated Daily

California Governor's Race is a daily briefing on the 2026 election and the California governor contest. Each episode breaks down candidate backgrounds, campaign strategy, fundraising and polling, with close reads of debates and policy choices shaping California politics. We map Gavin Newsom's role and the paths of challengers across the gubernatorial race, explaining what fundraising reports and legal fights mean for voters. Episodes deliver on-the-ground recaps of campaign events, debate takeaways and interviews with strategists, plus clear explainers of ballot rules and voter impact in the California governor race. This podcast is for voters, reporters and news consumers following the 2026 election who want clear context on polling trends and the forces that will decide the next governor.

  1. 4d ago

    Newsom’s Last Budget Shadows California’s 2026 Governor Race

    California governor race gets a fiscal frame as Gavin Newsom signs his final $352 billion budget, while polling still shows Xavier Becerra well ahead of Steve Hilton and new scrutiny follows Newsom’s orbit. In this episode: Top stories: 1. Newsom signs $352B spending plan and reflects on signature policies before he leaves office — SFGATE https://www.sfgate.com/news/politics/article/newsom-signs-352b-spending-plan-and-reflects-on-22326254.php 2. 2026 Polls: California Governor - 270toWin — 270toWin https://www.270towin.com/2026-governor-polls/california 3. Step Back: California doesn’t run separate Democratic and Republican primaries for governor — it uses a top-two system — so how did that shape a Becerra-Hilton November matchup, and what does it mean for voters who don’t feel represented by either choice? 4. Peculiar primary system forced the GOP to get strategic - Ceres Courier — Ceres Courier https://www.cerescourier.com/opinion/editorial/peculiar-primary-system-forced-the-gop-to-get-strategic/ 5. California Matters: What the federal probe of Newsom and the first partner means for his presidential ambitions | Opinion | mtdemocrat.com — Mountain Democrat https://www.mtdemocrat.com/opinion/california-matters-what-the-federal-probe-of-newsom-and-the-first-partner-means-for-his/article_0d320647-959c-4e0c-8199-2fd4f24b9179.html Follow and rate California Governor's Race on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Feedback? Email california-governors-race@lanternpodcasts.com

    10 min

  2. 5d ago

    California Tax Fatigue Hits the 2026 Ballot

    California ballot measures are running into voter tax fatigue, with Dan Walters pointing to polling that complicates new levies as budget deficits and 2026 campaign fights collide. In this episode: Top stories: 1. From the desk of…Voters in deep blue California are souring on ballot measures that add new taxes – The Ukiah Daily Journal — Ukiah Daily Journal https://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/2026/06/30/from-the-desk-of-voters-in-deep-blue-california-are-souring-on-ballot-measures-that-add-new-taxes/ Follow and rate California Governor's Race on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Feedback? Email california-governors-race@lanternpodcasts.com

    3 min

  3. 6d ago

    Newsom’s Budget Finale Meets Campaign Influencer Scrutiny

    Gavin Newsom signed a $352 billion final California budget that delays social-service cuts with tax hikes and AI revenue assumptions, giving California’s outgoing governor a fiscal record to sell as campaign watchdogs scrutinize paid influencer posts for Tom Steyer. In this episode: Top stories: 1. See what’s in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s final California budget — CalMatters https://calmatters.org/politics/2026/06/california-gavin-newsom-final-budget-deal/ 2. Bessette Pitney Text: Social Media Influencers in the CA Governor Race — Bessette Pitney http://www.bessettepitney.net/2026/05/social-media-influencers-in-ca-governor.html Follow and rate California Governor's Race on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Feedback? Email california-governors-race@lanternpodcasts.com

    4 min

  4. Jun 29

    Becerra-Hilton Race Hits Health Care and Billionaire-Tax Fault Lines

    California governor race voters are getting two sharp policy signals: Becerra and Hilton both oppose a billionaire-tax ballot measure, but split hard over state-funded health coverage for immigrants without legal status. In this episode: Top stories: 1. California's would-be governors oppose billionaire's tax–it's on the ballot anyway - Newsweek — Newsweek https://www.newsweek.com/californias-next-governor-opposes-billionaire-tax-on-the-ballot-anyway-12124232 2. In California governor's race, voters face stark choice on immigrant healthcare - AOL — AOL https://www.aol.com/news/california-governors-race-voters-face-100000240.html Follow and rate California Governor's Race on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Feedback? Email california-governors-race@lanternpodcasts.com

    5 min

  5. Jun 26

    Becerra racks up allies as Hilton looks for a reset

    Xavier Becerra is drawing new institutional cover, from business to law enforcement, as Steve Hilton tries to recast the California governor’s race around cost-of-living attacks and a promised COVID-lockdown investigation. In this episode: Top stories: 1. CSLEA Strongly Supports and Fully Endorses Xavier Becerra for Governor of California - California Statewide Law Enforcement Association — California Statewide Law Enforcement Association https://cslea.com/bulletin/cslea-strongly-supports-and-fully-endorses-xavier-becerra-for-governor-of-california/ 2. Steve Hilton irate over CalChamber's Xavier Becerra endorsement — San Francisco Chronicle https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/calchamber-becerra-hilton-governor-22317977.php 3. Steve Hilton says he would investigate 2020 COVID lockdowns if elected California governor - ABC7 Los Angeles — Abc7 https://abc7.com/post/steve-hilton-says-he-would-investigate-2020-covid-lockdowns-elected-california-governor/19365479/ 4. Newsom and Becerra Talk Power and Policy at Tommy's on Geary — Hoodline https://hoodline.com/2026/06/newsom-and-becerra-talk-power-and-policy-at-tommy-s-on-geary/ 5. Why Sonoma County's Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria appears tied to the latest feud between Newsom and Trump — The Press Democrat https://www.pressdemocrat.com/2026/06/23/newsom-trump-justice-investigation-graton-payments/ Follow and rate California Governor's Race on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Feedback? Email california-governors-race@lanternpodcasts.com

    8 min

  6. Jun 25

    California Governor Race Shifts From Billionaire Primary to November Fight

    California governor race moves into a Becerra-Hilton general election shaped by record spending, early polling, and Hilton’s COVID-lockdown probe promise, while Newsom and lawmakers put an $11.25 billion housing bond on November’s ballot. In this episode: Top stories: 1. Consultants dissect crowded field in California governor race | Sacramento Bee — Sacramento Bee https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article316235700.html 2. Steve Hilton says he would investigate 2020 COVID lockdowns if elected California governor - ABC7 Los Angeles — Abc7 https://abc7.com/post/steve-hilton-says-he-would-investigate-2020-covid-lockdowns-elected-california-governor/19365479/ 3. Gov. Newsom Backs $11B Measure To Boost Home Construction in California — Realtor.com https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/california-newsom-housing-bond-home-construction-ballot-measure/ 4. 2026 Polls: California Governor - 270toWin.com — 270toWin https://www.270towin.com/2026-governor-polls/california 5. Did California's Gubernatorial Race Reveal the Limits of 'Abundance' Politics on the Left? - R Street Institute — R Street Institute https://www.rstreet.org/commentary/did-californias-gubernatorial-race-reveal-the-limits-of-abundance-politics-on-the-left/ Follow and rate California Governor's Race on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Feedback? Email california-governors-race@lanternpodcasts.com

    9 min

  7. Jun 24

    Becerra-Hilton Is Set, and the Money Trail Gets Messy

    California governor results put Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton on track for November, with NBC showing Becerra at 28.1% and Hilton at 24.7% as the race turns from a crowded primary to a stark general-election contest. In this episode: Top stories: 1. California Governor Primary Election 2026 Live Results — NBC News https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-primary-elections/california-governor-results 2. Steve Hilton advances in California governor's race, to face Xavier Becerra — LiveNOW from FOX https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E7qu1w4FG0 3. June 2026 Primary Election | FPPC — FPPC https://www.fppc.ca.gov/search-filings/top-10-contributors-list/june-2026-primary-election 4. Governor Candidate Statements | Official Voter Information Guide — California Secretary of State https://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/candidates/governor-candidate-statements.htm 5. Step Back: When Becerra and Hilton promise to fix housing, homelessness, crime or gas prices, what can a California governor actually do on their own — and where do the Legislature, courts, cities, or ballot measures have the real power? Follow and rate California Governor's Race on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Feedback? Email california-governors-race@lanternpodcasts.com

    10 min

  8. Jun 23

    Becerra’s Business Bet Sets Off Hilton’s Populist Counterpunch

    Xavier Becerra’s California governor campaign is touting a rare Chamber of Commerce endorsement, while Steve Hilton casts it as establishment surrender. The fight sharpens November’s business-versus-populist fault line, with polling context still favoring Becerra. In this episode: Top stories: 1. Business group backs Becerra, sparking GOP anger as progressives preach caution | Politics | kdhnews.com — KDH News https://kdhnews.com/news/politics/business-group-backs-becerra-sparking-gop-anger-as-progressives-preach-caution/article_cfcb9db0-3840-5da3-8b08-e223951b4854.html 2. CNN's California Governor Debate — CNN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKu9rBJTNYw 3. California 2026 Governor Election - Primary Polling Average — Race to the WH — Race to the WH https://www.racetothewh.com/governor/california26 4. What Trump’s endorsement means for California’s governor race — ABC10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVhM5nIv-to Follow and rate California Governor's Race on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Feedback? Email california-governors-race@lanternpodcasts.com

    8 min
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About

California Governor's Race is a daily briefing on the 2026 election and the California governor contest. Each episode breaks down candidate backgrounds, campaign strategy, fundraising and polling, with close reads of debates and policy choices shaping California politics. We map Gavin Newsom's role and the paths of challengers across the gubernatorial race, explaining what fundraising reports and legal fights mean for voters. Episodes deliver on-the-ground recaps of campaign events, debate takeaways and interviews with strategists, plus clear explainers of ballot rules and voter impact in the California governor race. This podcast is for voters, reporters and news consumers following the 2026 election who want clear context on polling trends and the forces that will decide the next governor.

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