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Who are the Democratic and Republican candidates that will be running soon in California and has there been any negative information released about them?
Executive summary
The major statewide race drawing attention in California right now is the open 2026 governor’s contest, where a crowded primary includes prominent Democrats (Katie Porter, Antonio Villaraigosa, Xavier Becerra among others) and Republicans (Steve Hilton, Chad Bianco) — more than a dozen candidates have declared as of November 2025 [1] [2]. Polling shows Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco polling competitively in some surveys, and there have been specific negative news items reported about individual candidates (lawsuits and campaign controversies are reported for Bianco; questions and coverage vary across outlets) [3] [4] [2].
1. Who’s running — the big names and the crowded field
California’s 2026 governor’s race is large and unsettled: established Democrats mentioned in coverage include Katie Porter, Antonio Villaraigosa and Xavier Becerra, while Republicans drawing the most attention are Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco; reporting and aggregators say more than a dozen candidates have declared and the field is expected to grow [1] [2] [3]. News outlets emphasize the “jungle primary” dynamic — every candidate runs on one ballot and the top two advance — which makes a crowded field strategically consequential [5].
2. What the polls currently show — Republicans making inroads in some surveys
Recent polls reported by Newsweek and others show Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco competitive in some surveys, with Emerson and other polls at times putting Hilton or Bianco near the top of the primary field; other polls show a cluster of Democrats also competitive, so the race remains fluid and polling varies by sponsor and method [3] [5]. Observers warn that with many Democratic candidates splitting the vote, two Republicans could theoretically advance to the general election under California’s top-two system [5].
3. Reported negative information and controversies — what’s been published
Reporting documents specific negative items about some candidates: Chad Bianco has been sued by a fellow candidate, Stephen J. Cloobeck, according to The Desert Sun’s coverage; news outlets also have highlighted campaign controversies and fundraising disparities for GOP hopefuls [4]. Steve Hilton is repeatedly described as a political commentator and former adviser rather than a traditional California officeholder, and outlets note the uphill climb for Republicans in a deep-blue state [2]. Available sources do not provide an exhaustive scandal list for every declared candidate; detailed allegations vary by outlet and candidate and are still developing [4] [2] [3].
4. How the broader political environment shapes coverage and claims
Coverage of California politics in late 2025 is heavily colored by the Feb–Nov 2025 fights over Prop. 50 and redistricting: Democrats pushed a constitutional amendment to redraw congressional maps and won wide voter approval, a fight that produced cross‑party litigation and federal attention [6] [7]. That partisan backdrop increases scrutiny and the likelihood that negative stories about candidates will be amplified by opponents or national media aligned with different agendas [7] [8].
5. Different outlets’ emphases — what to watch for in reporting
CalMatters framed the Republican candidates’ pitch as “sane versus insane” rhetoric and warns Republicans face an uphill climb because the state hasn’t elected a GOP governor since 2006/2010-era losses [2]. Newsweek highlights poll numbers showing Republicans leading some surveys but notes poll sponsors and margins vary [3] [5]. Readers should note each outlet’s framing: local outlets focus on lawsuits and campaign specifics [4], while national outlets emphasize polling trends and strategic implications [3] [5].
6. Missing details and limits of current reporting
Available sources do not include a comprehensive, candidate-by-candidate dossier of all negative allegations, nor do they exhaustively list who will file by the June primary deadline; many campaigns are still forming and lawsuits or investigations can emerge later [1] [2]. For many lesser-known candidates the available reporting simply lists names without detailed coverage, so “negative information” may be absent from those sources not because it doesn’t exist, but because it hasn’t been reported yet [1].
7. Practical next steps for a reader tracking this race
Watch June’s jungle primary dynamics and the first post‑filing fundraising reports; follow local outlets (CalMatters, Desert Sun), national poll coverage (Newsweek) and the Secretary of State’s candidate filings page for official lists [9] [10] [2] [3]. Expect more detailed reporting on any legal actions or formal ethics complaints — current sources already cite at least one lawsuit involving Bianco and note campaign‑finance gaps between parties [4] [2] [3].
If you want, I can compile a sourced list of declared candidates named in these reports and note which sources mention specific controversies for each one.