2022 California gubernatorial election

The 2022 California gubernatorial election will take place on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of California, with the statewide top-two primary election taking place on June 7, 2022.^[1] Incumbent Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom is running for re-election to a second term after surviving a recall election in 2021, during his first term.

The elections will feature universal mail-in ballots and in-person voting on election day, following legislation which made the pandemic-era election format (used in all 2020 and 2021 elections in California) permanent.^[2]

Candidates[]

The following individuals have either declared their candidacy, expressed interest in running, or have had their potential candidacy be the topic of public speculation.

Declared[]

Candidates in the following table have declared and not withdrawn their candidacies with the secretary of state.^[3]

	Party	Prior positions
Joseph Amey	No party preference
David Asem	Democratic
Charles D. Boggus	Republican
David Alexander Bramante	Republican	Real estate agent, developer, and podcast host
Jerry S. Brandt	No party preference
David M. Brewer	Republican
Edward Buraye	Republican
Carla L. Canada	Republican
Thomas J. Cares	Democratic
John Chiang	Democratic	Treasurer of California from 2015 to 2019
Michael G. Coltharp II	Republican
John H. Cox	Republican	Businessman and 2018 Republican gubernatorial nominee^[4]
Mariana B. Dawson	No party preference
Brian Domingo	Republican
John R. Drake	Democratic	College student^[5]
Julie A. Eade	Republican
Kevin Faulconer	Republican	Former mayor of San Diego (2014–2020)^[6] Member of the San Diego City Council from the 2nd district (2006–2014)
Gregory Ferguson	No party preference
Chaz A. Flemmings	No party preference
Sam L. Gallucci	Republican	Pastor and software developer
Jason P. Gateas	Republican
Sukhbir S. Gill	Democratic
Steven L. Green	Democratic
James G. Hanink	No qualified party preference (American Solidarity)^{[note 1]}	Former Loyola Marymount University philosophy professor
Sean Harrison	Republican
Timothy P. Herode	Republican
Justin D. Hubbard	Republican
Raymond E. Jenkins	Green
Paul Kangas	Democratic
Jenny Rae Le Roux	Republican	Business owner and management consultant^[11]^[12]
Joseph Luciano	Republican
Louis J. Marinelli	Republican
Diego Martinez	Republican	Business owner
Barbara I. Mc Veigh	Green
Daniel R. Mercuri	Republican	Business owner and candidate for California's 25th congressional district in the 2020 special election and 2020 general election^[13]^[14]^[15]
Robert C. Newman II	Republican	Psychologist and perennial candidate (including in the 2003 recall and 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018 gubernatorial elections)^[16]^[17]^[18]
Gavin Newsom	Democratic	Incumbent Governor of California (2019–present) Former Lieutenant Governor of California (2011–2019) Former Mayor of San Francisco (2004–2011) Former Member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors (1997–2004)
Doug Ose	Republican	U.S. representative for California's 3rd congressional district from 1999 to 2005
Steven J. Peloza	American Independent
Armando "Mando" Perez-Serrato	Democratic	business owner^[19]
Charles W. Reyburn	No party preference
Luis J. Rodriguez	Green	Bestselling Author, 2nd Los Angeles Poet Laureate,^[20] and 2014 California gubernatorial candidate
Reinette Senum	No party preference	Former Mayor of Nevada City, California^[21]^[22]
Laura S. Smith	Republican
Sarah L. Stephens	Republican	Pastor, motivational speaker, and conservative activist^[16]^[11]
Anthony Trimino	Republican	Business owner
Errol G. Webber	Republican	Former Congressional candidate for California's 37th District in the 2018 and 2020 elections
Nickolas Wildstar	Republican	Rapper and perennial candidate (including in the 2014 and 2018 gubernatorial elections, 2018 Fullerton City Council elections and 2020 Fresno mayoral election)^[23]^[16]^[24]^[25]
Major Williams	Republican	Former Pasadena mayoral candidate in the 2020 primary election.
Leo S. Zacky	Republican	Former vice president of Zacky Farms

Publicly expressed interest[]

Kevin Paffrath, Democratic Party. YouTuber, real estate broker, landlord, and candidate in the 2021 recall election^[26]

Potential[]

Kimberly Guilfoyle, television personality, former advisor to Donald Trump, and ex-wife of Gavin Newsom^[27]

Withdrew[]

Adriel Hampton, digital media businessman and candidate for California's 10th congressional district in 2009^[28]^[29]

Declined[]

Larry Elder, Republican Party. Conservative talk show host, author, and candidate in the 2021 recall election^[30]
Kevin Kiley, state assemblyman from the 6th district (2016–present) and candidate in the 2021 recall election (running for CA-03)^[31]

Primary election[]

Polling[]

Hypothetical polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size^[a]	Margin of error	Gavin Newsom (D)	Other
RedState	Oct 10–12, 2020	800 (LV)	± 3.5%	58%	–^[b]

General election[]

Predictions[]

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report^[32]	Solid D	October 5, 2021
Inside Elections^[33]	Solid D	September 29, 2021
Sabato's Crystal Ball^[34]	Safe D	September 15, 2021
RCP^[35]	Safe D	January 10, 2022

Hypothetical polling

Gavin Newsom vs. Kevin Faulconer

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size^[a]	Margin of error	Gavin Newsom (D)	Kevin Faulconer (R)	Undecided
University of California, Berkeley	August 30 – September 6, 2021	9,809 (RV)	± 2.3%	49%	27%	24%

Gavin Newsom vs. John Cox

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size^[a]	Margin of error	Gavin Newsom (D)	John Cox (R)	Undecided
University of California, Berkeley	August 30 – September 6, 2021	9,809 (RV)	± 2.3%	51%	26%	23%

Gavin Newsom vs. Larry Elder

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size^[a]	Margin of error	Gavin Newsom (D)	Larry Elder (R)	Undecided
University of California, Berkeley	August 30 – September 6, 2021	9,809 (RV)	± 2.3%	52%	30%	18%

Gavin Newsom vs. Kevin Kiley

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size^[a]	Margin of error	Gavin Newsom (D)	Kevin Kiley (R)	Undecided
University of California, Berkeley	August 30 – September 6, 2021	9,809 (RV)	± 2.3%	50%	25%	25%

Notes[]

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
^ John Cox and Kevin Faulconer were included in this poll although their results have not yet been released

^ Hanink was listed on the ballot as "no party preference" and listed in the official Voter Information Guide as "no qualified party preference" because the party with which Hanink was registered, the American Solidarity Party, did not have ballot access at the time the ballot was printed. The party is attempting to qualify for ballot access in time for the 2022 California primaries.^[7]^[8]^[9]^[10]

References[]

^ "Bill Text - SB-970 Primary election date".
^ "California Adopts Vote-by-Mail System for All Future Elections".
^ "Candidates & Elected Officials". California Secretary of State. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
^ Phillips, Morgan (January 30, 2021). "John Cox says he'll challenge California's Newsom if recall effort succeeds". Fox News. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
^ Varghese, Romy (July 16, 2021). "California's Would-Be Governors Include Rapper, YouTube Star". Bloomberg News. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
^ Marinucci, Carla (February 1, 2021). "Former San Diego mayor to officially launch GOP challenge to Newsom". Politico. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
^ Spielmann, Cristobal; Backer-Peral, Veronica (May 6, 2021). "Former LMU professor runs for governor in recall election". Los Angeles Loyolan. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
^ Winger, Richard (August 18, 2021). "California Secretary of State Makes a Tiny Concession to Unqualified Parties in the Official Voter Information Guide". Ballot Access News. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
^ Black, SaVannah. "Political Body: American Solidarity Party" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
^ Weber, Shirley. "California Gubernatorial Recall Election Official Voter Information Guide" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
^ ^a ^b Weigel, David (April 15, 2021). "Analysis | The Trailer: Waiting for a California recall date, Republicans are still trying to get traction". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
^ Lozano, Alicia Victoria (April 27, 2021). "A pastor, a Jenner and an adult film star: Who's running for California governor?". NBC News. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
^ Batchelor, Tom (February 5, 2021). "Chamath Palihapitiya favorite to win 2022 California election with bookmakers". Newsweek. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
^ "Daniel Mercuri". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
^ "Daniel Mercuri for Governor". Daniel Mercuri for Governor. 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Who is running in the California recall?". KTXL. May 5, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
^ "Luis Manuel Huang // Assembly District #68 // PDN: Progressive Delegates Network". www.adems2021.vote. Progressive Delegates Network. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
^ Taub, David (May 30, 2021). "Who Wants to Run for Governor? A Fresno Man Is on the List". GV Wire. Archived from the original on June 1, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
^ Marinucci, Carla (April 27, 2021). "California braces for another 'clown car' of recall candidates". Politico Pro. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
^ Kellogg, Carolyn (October 9, 2014). "A new L.A. poet laureate was announced Thursday by Mayor Garcetti: bestselling author Luis J. Rodriguez". LA Times. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
^ BUTLER, PAT. "Planning commission getting a new look". www.theunion.com. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
^ senum, reinette (January 8, 2019). "Reinette Senum, Mayor" (PDF). nevadacityca.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
^ Korte, Lara (April 5, 2021). "California taxed the rich. Will Biden? + Recall candidates mushroom + Early fire spending". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
^ "Nickolas Wildstar". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
^ Dutton, Jack (July 2, 2021). "Libertarian rapper hopes to unseat Gavin Newsom in recall election". Newsweek. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
^ Levy, Ari (August 15, 2021). "This 29-year-old YouTube millionaire has a good chance to be the next governor of California". CNBC. Retrieved August 15, 2021. Paffrath said he’ll run in 2022 even the recall is unsuccessful or if another replacement candidate wins.
^ "California may get Kimberly Guilfoyle back, running for public office". Mercury News. February 27, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.,
^ Haber, Matt (October 31, 2019). "Meet the Gubernatorial Candidate Whose Campaign Has One Mission: Attacking Facebook's Fake Political Ads Problem". Inc.com. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
^ Hampton, Adriel [@adrielhampton] (September 1, 2021). "I declared for California Governor in the fall of 2019 in order to shame Facebook for its political ad practices. Today, I'm formally withdrawing from the 2022 race, and calling on Gavin Newsom to step down as Governor for the good of our state" (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 1, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2021 – via Twitter.
^ "Larry Elder will not run against Newsom in 2022". Politico. January 4, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
^ "Republican Assemblyman Kiley Running For Eastern Sierra Congressional Seat". My Mother Lode. December 29, 2021. Retrieved January 4, 2022.,
^ "2022 Governor Race Ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
^ "2022 Gubernatorial race ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
^ "2022 Governor Races". RCP. January 10, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022.

External links[]

Official campaign websites

[key-33] Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear

[34] John Cox and Kevin Faulconer were included in this poll although their results have not yet been released

[Hanink-11] Hanink was listed on the ballot as "no party preference" and listed in the official Voter Information Guide as "no qualified party preference" because the party with which Hanink was registered, the American Solidarity Party, did not have ballot access at the time the ballot was printed. The party is attempting to qualify for ballot access in time for the 2022 California primaries.^[7]^[8]^[9]^[10]

[1] "Bill Text - SB-970 Primary election date".

[2] "California Adopts Vote-by-Mail System for All Future Elections".

[3] "Candidates & Elected Officials". California Secretary of State. Retrieved December 29, 2021.

[4] Phillips, Morgan (January 30, 2021). "John Cox says he'll challenge California's Newsom if recall effort succeeds". Fox News. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.

[5] Varghese, Romy (July 16, 2021). "California's Would-Be Governors Include Rapper, YouTube Star". Bloomberg News. Retrieved July 18, 2021.

[6] Marinucci, Carla (February 1, 2021). "Former San Diego mayor to officially launch GOP challenge to Newsom". Politico. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.

[7] Spielmann, Cristobal; Backer-Peral, Veronica (May 6, 2021). "Former LMU professor runs for governor in recall election". Los Angeles Loyolan. Retrieved July 12, 2021.

[8] Winger, Richard (August 18, 2021). "California Secretary of State Makes a Tiny Concession to Unqualified Parties in the Official Voter Information Guide". Ballot Access News. Retrieved August 22, 2021.

[BallotAccessParties-9] Black, SaVannah. "Political Body: American Solidarity Party" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved July 20, 2021.

[InfoGuide-10] Weber, Shirley. "California Gubernatorial Recall Election Official Voter Information Guide" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved August 24, 2021.

[WeigelJun15-12] Weigel, David (April 15, 2021). "Analysis | The Trailer: Waiting for a California recall date, Republicans are still trying to get traction". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 20, 2021.

[:2-13] Lozano, Alicia Victoria (April 27, 2021). "A pastor, a Jenner and an adult film star: Who's running for California governor?". NBC News. Retrieved May 25, 2021.

[newsweek5feb-14] Batchelor, Tom (February 5, 2021). "Chamath Palihapitiya favorite to win 2022 California election with bookmakers". Newsweek. Retrieved April 26, 2021.

[15] "Daniel Mercuri". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 9, 2021.

[16] "Daniel Mercuri for Governor". Daniel Mercuri for Governor. 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2021.

[KTXL1-17] "Who is running in the California recall?". KTXL. May 5, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2021.

[18] "Luis Manuel Huang // Assembly District #68 // PDN: Progressive Delegates Network". www.adems2021.vote. Progressive Delegates Network. Retrieved May 9, 2021.

[:3-19] Taub, David (May 30, 2021). "Who Wants to Run for Governor? A Fresno Man Is on the List". GV Wire. Archived from the original on June 1, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.

[Marinucci1-20] Marinucci, Carla (April 27, 2021). "California braces for another 'clown car' of recall candidates". Politico Pro. Retrieved May 5, 2021.

[kellogg-21] Kellogg, Carolyn (October 9, 2014). "A new L.A. poet laureate was announced Thursday by Mayor Garcetti: bestselling author Luis J. Rodriguez". LA Times. Retrieved January 2, 2022.

[22] BUTLER, PAT. "Planning commission getting a new look". www.theunion.com. Retrieved January 5, 2022.

[23] senum, reinette (January 8, 2019). "Reinette Senum, Mayor" (PDF). nevadacityca.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

[taxiforniataxedtherich-24] Korte, Lara (April 5, 2021). "California taxed the rich. Will Biden? + Recall candidates mushroom + Early fire spending". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved April 30, 2021.

[25] "Nickolas Wildstar". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 30, 2021.

[26] Dutton, Jack (July 2, 2021). "Libertarian rapper hopes to unseat Gavin Newsom in recall election". Newsweek. Retrieved July 5, 2021.

[27] Levy, Ari (August 15, 2021). "This 29-year-old YouTube millionaire has a good chance to be the next governor of California". CNBC. Retrieved August 15, 2021. Paffrath said he’ll run in 2022 even the recall is unsuccessful or if another replacement candidate wins.

[28] "California may get Kimberly Guilfoyle back, running for public office". Mercury News. February 27, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.,

[29] Haber, Matt (October 31, 2019). "Meet the Gubernatorial Candidate Whose Campaign Has One Mission: Attacking Facebook's Fake Political Ads Problem". Inc.com. Retrieved October 28, 2020.

[30] Hampton, Adriel [@adrielhampton] (September 1, 2021). "I declared for California Governor in the fall of 2019 in order to shame Facebook for its political ad practices. Today, I'm formally withdrawing from the 2022 race, and calling on Gavin Newsom to step down as Governor for the good of our state" (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 1, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2021 – via Twitter.

[31] "Larry Elder will not run against Newsom in 2022". Politico. January 4, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2022.

[32] "Republican Assemblyman Kiley Running For Eastern Sierra Congressional Seat". My Mother Lode. December 29, 2021. Retrieved January 4, 2022.,

[Cook_PR-35] "2022 Governor Race Ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved September 15, 2021.

[Inside_Elections-36] "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved September 15, 2021.

[Sabato's_Crystal_Ball-37] "2022 Gubernatorial race ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved September 15, 2021.

[38] "2022 Governor Races". RCP. January 10, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022.

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