CA Primary (6/2/2026) Options
Governor:
Xavier Becerra or Tom Steyer, whoever is ahead https://calmatters.org/politics/2026/05/democrats-governor-race-voting-strategy/
Becerra is a seasoned politician and tested leader, having been Attorney General of California, the head of the US Department of Health and Human Services and a long time and quite effective Congressperson.
Steyer is very wealthy, smart and well intentioned, but with no experience in elective offices. He has been an effective outsider, sponsoring multiple ballot initiatives. He is favored by many progressives. However, since he has never held either elective or appointive office; he has never yet had to make the tough calls and decisions that every effective politician has to make.
Katie Porter is super smart and very progressive. She has had no executive experience, as yet, and her list of legislative accomplishments is quite minor, but she gained a strong reputation as a tough and well-prepared questioner at Congressional hearings. The Sacramento Bee and SF Chronicle editorial Boards have endorsed her, and she has been impressive in the debates.
Lieutenant Governor: https://calmatters.org/california-voter-guide-2026/lieutenant-governor/
Fiona Ma or Josh Fryday
Fiona Ma is an experienced, well respected and effective politician. she has been a long time favorite of many of my small business and Asian American friends.
Josh Fryday served as an effective executive under Newsom, is endorsed by Newsom and the Sacramento Bee.
Katie urges consideration of Michael Tubbs, the ex-mayor of Stockton, who pioneered an important experiment in guaranteed national incomes. https://calmatters.org/california-divide/2023/04/california-guaranteed-income/
Attorney General
Rob Bonta
Bonta has been enormously effective as AG and should be re-elected.
Secretary of State
Shirley Weber
Weber has been very effective as Secretary of State and ought to be re-elected. She was one of Katie’s favorites on education reform measures.
Controller
Malia Cohen
I know nothing about her; she is running for re-election and is endorsed by the Sacramento Bee.
Insurance Commissioner https://calmatters.org/newsletter/insurance-commissioner-election/
Ben Allen or Steve Bradford or Patrick Wolff
Ben Allen was our Assemblymember and Senator in LA (Palisades and Santa Monica). He has had to deal with the community devastation and the range of insurance issues arising from the Palisades fires. Katie supported his early runs for those offices. He is very smart and capable. He is endorsed by the San Jose Mercury News.
Steve Bradford was a Senator from South LA; I know nothing about him.
Patrick Wolff is endorsed by the Sacramento Bee and SF Chronicle as the most knowledgeable and capable to take on the multiple crises impacting insurance for homeowners, car owners and others.
Superintendent of Public Instruction https://calmatters.org/education/k-12-education/2026/05/ca-superintendent-election-2026/
Anthony Rendon or Josh Newman or Richard Barrera
Anthony Rendon was effective as Speaker of the California Assembly.
Josh Newman was effective as a California state Senator.
Richard Barrera was effective as Superintendent of San Diego Schools and is endorsed by the California Teachers Association and the Charter Schools Assn. I typically do not vote for the Teacher’s Assn. recommendations for those who supervise them due to the inherent conflict. He is endorsed by the Sacramento Bee in a very thoughtful editorial as well as by the SF Chronicle. https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/article315498568.html See also https://calmatters.org/newsletter/superintendent-california-election-endorsements/
Treasurer https://calmatters.org/politics/2026/05/california-treasurer-election-2026/
Eleni Kounalakis or Anna Caballero https://sacramento.newsreview.com/2026/05/07/in-the-six-way-race-to-be-californias-treasurer-it-likely-comes-down-to-two-democrats/
Eleni Kounalakis is the Lieutenant Governor; she is endorsed by her hometown Sacramento Bee and the SF Chronicle saying she has done an excellent job.
Anna Caballero has been a state Senator. I know nothing about her.
Congress – 2nd District
Jared Huffman has been an effective representative for several terms; his special interests have been the environment.
California Assembly
Chris Rogers (Endorsed by CA Democratic Party)
California Senate ‘
Damon Connolly (Endorsed by CA Democratic Party)
Board of Equalization District 2
Sally Lieber (Endorsed by CA Democratic Party)
Judge of the Superior Court
David Kim (unopposed)
County Superintendent of Schools
Amie Carter (unopposed)
County Treasurer
Amanda Ruch (unopposed)
County Assessor
Deva Marie Proto (unopposed)
Measure B – continues the current ¼ cent sales tax for 30 years to pay for the SMART train from Larkspur Landing to Windsor (expected to go to Healdsburg and eventually on to Cloverdale).
Yes!
I took the train from Larkspur Landing to downtown Santa Rosa a few weeks ago; it was fast, clean, delightful, filled with commuters from SF, and free for me (as a senior).