One Question: Top 2026 California Governor Candidates on Newsom — What They’d Keep and Change

CBS News California Investigates correspondent Julie Watts asked more than a dozen leading contenders in the 2026 California gubernatorial race one direct question: What have Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Legislature done well, and what should be done differently? The answers — delivered in a side-by-side accountability series — reveal where candidates align and where they sharply disagree on housing, education, redistricting, homelessness and more.

Xavier Becerra

Xavier Becerra, former California attorney general and former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary, praised Newsom for strengthening the state economy and defended California’s redistricting efforts as necessary. Becerra said he would have moved faster on stalled projects such as high-speed rail and taken quicker action on the statewide housing shortage. Watch Becerra's response here.

Chad Bianco

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican, said the one thing Newsom has done well is "acting like a Republican," which Bianco interprets as positioning for national office. He added that during his seven years as sheriff he could not point to legislative accomplishments he would praise. Watch Bianco's response here.

Ian Calderon

Ian Calderon, a Democrat and former Assembly majority leader, applauded Newsom’s work on housing and the Legislature’s attention to online safety for children. Calderon warned that state leaders have sometimes prioritized national political debates over core California issues. Watch Calderon's response here.

Steve Hilton

Republican Steve Hilton, a public policy commentator, said he most agrees with Newsom on limiting smartphone use in schools. Hilton emphasized that his top priority would be reducing housing costs, which he sees as the main reason residents are leaving the state. Watch Hilton's response here.

Katie Porter

Consumer protection attorney and law professor Katie Porter highlighted Newsom’s universal school meals program, which made school lunches free statewide. Porter said her administration would focus intensively on lowering housing costs across California. Watch Porter's response here.

Tom Steyer

Democrat Tom Steyer praised Newsom’s public confrontations with former President Donald Trump as politically effective, while criticizing some decisions around a recent budget surplus. Steyer joined the race later but has been outspoken on fiscal and climate priorities.

Eric Swalwell

U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell framed his candidacy around opportunity and economic mobility: "If you work hard, you should do better for yourself and dream bigger for your kids." He entered the race after Stephen Cloobeck exited and emphasized practical solutions for families. Watch Swalwell's response here.

Tony Thurmond

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond called California at a "critical inflection point," praising Newsom’s investments in public education and describing plans to address the insurance crisis and increase affordable housing if elected. Watch Thurmond's response here.

Antonio Villaraigosa

Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said he wants to be a "proven problem solver" for California. He criticized extended school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic while crediting Newsom and the Legislature for advances in health care and child care. Watch Villaraigosa's response here.

Butch Ware

Green Party candidate and UC professor Butch Ware criticized the Newsom administration’s response to immigration raids and said the state has not done enough to address homelessness. He also expressed reservations about Newsom’s social-media confrontations with national officials. Watch Ware's response here.

Betty Yee

Former State Controller Betty Yee praised Newsom’s presence during major crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and said she would prioritize stronger fiscal accountability and transparency as governor. Watch Yee's response here.

Leo Zacky

Business owner Leo Zacky, a Republican, argued that neither Newsom nor the Legislature has done much right in recent years. He specifically criticized the increase in the fast-food minimum wage and called for "common sense" policies to stabilize the state. Watch Zacky’s response here.

Toni Atkins

Former State Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins — who later announced she was dropping out of the race — praised Newsom’s willingness to confront the Trump administration and noted redistricting as an example of political pushback. Atkins said health care would have been a central priority for her campaign. Watch Atkins' response here.

Stephen J. Cloobeck

Businessman Stephen J. Cloobeck said Newsom has remained visible and engaged with communities, and described his own reason for running as a response to national political dysfunction before he left the race. Watch Cloobeck's response here.

About the Series

The "One Question" segments are part of CBS News California Investigates’ accountability series, which presents side-by-side, issue-specific interviews so voters can directly compare candidate positions. The format pushes beyond campaign talking points by asking nuanced follow-ups and testing how contenders respond to opposing views. Earlier episodes — including a widely shared Katie Porter exchange over Prop 50 redistricting — have already influenced the race. Upcoming episodes will cover crime and criminal justice reform, environmental policy and gas prices, homelessness, housing affordability, high-speed rail and more.

Watch the full series on the CBS News California Investigates YouTube playlist.