CBS News California Investigates presents a side-by-side guide to help voters compare the candidates running for California governor in 2026. This interactive resource lays out where each candidate stands on the issues that are most important to Californians, links to interviews and debate moments, and collects reporting, fact checks and voting resources in one place.
What you’ll find
– Issue-by-issue comparisons: See candidate positions on housing and homelessness, public safety and crime, education, healthcare and reproductive rights, climate and wildfire policy, water and energy, the state budget and taxes, immigration, transportation and infrastructure, and more.Each entry summarizes policy proposals, key quotes and how those plans would be funded or implemented.
– Candidate profiles: Short bios, political backgrounds, major endorsements and campaign priorities for each contender, so you can quickly understand experience and focus.
– Multimedia: Clips from CBS News interviews and debate highlights let you watch candidates explain their views in their own words.
– Reporting and context: In-depth reporting from the California Investigates team, links to relevant news stories, and fact checks where claims have been verified or disputed.
– Voter resources: Practical information on registration, polling places, ballot deadlines and how to find local voting options.
How to use the guide
Browse issue sections to compare positions side by side, watch interviews or debate segments for deeper context, and follow source links to read full reporting. Use the profiles and endorsement summaries when weighing experience and alliances. If you want an at-a-glance view, start with the top-line summaries under each issue. For deeper research, follow the linked articles and fact checks.
Publication details
Published April 22, 2026. Produced by the CBS News California Investigates team: Grace Manthey, Julie Watts, Richard Ramos, Randy Garcia, Dennis Lopez, Jay Yoo, Max Faneuff and Julie Montes. Read the full guide and access multimedia at https://www.cbsnews.com/projects/2026/ca-gov-voter-guide/ and view the header image at https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/2026/04/22/9b97329d-ffd6-4baf-affa-19b976c78c80/ca-voter-guide-header-graphic-thumb.png
The guide is meant to be a starting point for informed voting—compare positions, verify claims with the reporting provided, and use the voter resources to make your voice heard in 2026.