Updated March 5, 2026 / CBS News California
CBS News California Investigates asked each of the top-polling gubernatorial candidates one question: What has Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Legislature done well, and what would you have done differently? Below are concise summaries of each candidate’s response.
Xavier Becerra: Becerra credited Newsom for strengthening California’s economy and supported the state’s redistricting effort. He criticized slow progress on projects such as high-speed rail and on addressing the statewide housing shortage, saying he would have moved faster.
Chad Bianco: Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said Newsom’s only notable act was “acting like a Republican” amid perceived presidential ambitions. Bianco said he could not point to anything the Legislature has done right during his seven years as sheriff.
Steve Hilton: Hilton agrees with Newsom’s move to limit smartphone use in schools. He identified rising housing costs as the main driver of population loss from California and said housing affordability would be his top priority.
Matt Mahan: San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan framed both praise and criticism around homelessness. He said the state’s homelessness policies will be central to how he evaluates the governor’s record and how he would change state policy.
Katie Porter: Porter praised Newsom’s universal school meals program that made lunches free statewide. She said her own focus would be policies to lower housing costs across California.
Tom Steyer: Steyer lauded Newsom’s public confrontations with former President Trump as effective political theater, while criticizing parts of the governor’s handling of a recent budget surplus.
Eric Swalwell: U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell called Newsom “a protector” against federal overreach and praised his defense of state interests. Swalwell said he would work to diversify California’s revenue streams.
Tony Thurmond: California Superintendent Tony Thurmond praised Newsom as a creative thinker and credited investments in public education. He said he would prioritize improvements to the state’s insurance market and expand affordable housing.
Antonio Villaraigosa: The former Los Angeles mayor said he’s running as a “proven problem solver.” Villaraigosa criticized Newsom’s extended school closures early in the COVID-19 pandemic, praised state steps on health care and child care, and said he would emphasize operational improvements.
Butch Ware: Green Party candidate Butch Ware criticized Newsom’s response to immigration raids and his handling of homelessness. He disagreed with Newsom’s social media tactics against the Trump administration, though he acknowledged the pushback.
Betty Yee: Former State Controller Betty Yee praised Newsom’s visible leadership during crises like the pandemic and said she would strengthen fiscal accountability in state government.
Leo Zacky: Business owner Leo Zacky said he wants to bring “common sense solutions” to California. He said nothing in the last seven years by Newsom or the Legislature stood out to him and singled out the fast-food minimum wage increase for criticism.
Dropped out but previously interviewed:
Toni Atkins: Praised Newsom for confronting the Trump administration and supporting redistricting; planned to prioritize health care but dropped out on Sept. 29, citing no viable path forward.
Ian Calderon: Had praised Newsom’s housing efforts and the Legislature’s online safety work for children; withdrew on March 5.
Stephen J. Cloobeck: Credited Newsom for being active in public communities; withdrew and endorsed Eric Swalwell.
Series context and impact: The “One Question” interviews are part of the CBS News California Investigates accountability series, which sat down with more than a dozen gubernatorial candidates on issue-specific topics voters care about. The series has produced viral moments—most notably from the redistricting segment featuring Katie Porter—and shaped conversations in the governor’s race. The Investigates team also moderated a recent education forum hosted by Asian Pacific American Public Affairs and Sacramento State University.
Watch and follow: Full interviews and the broader accountability series are available on the CBS News California Investigates YouTube playlist. Upcoming segments will cover crime and criminal justice reform, environmental rules’ impact on gas prices, homelessness, housing affordability, high-speed rail and other voter priorities.