California’s next governor to tackle major education decisions

Katie Porter, Tom Steyer, Steve Hilton, Chad Bianco, Xavier Becerra and Matt Mahan participate in a California gubernatorial debate hosted by CNN at East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park on May 5, 2026.

Credit: Ethan Swope/AP Photo

California’s next governor will inherit school district budget shortfalls, declining school enrollment and pressure to preserve education programs championed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Voters may also elect a state schools chief with a dramatically reduced role. 

Although education has not been a central issue in California’s crowded gubernatorial race, the next governor will face major decisions about school funding, college affordability and potential changes at the California Department of Education. 

District leaders, struggling with financial deficits, will be looking to Sacramento for help balancing their budgets. Families will be eager to see if the campaign promises of expanded financial aid for their college-bound students come true.

The next governor will likely face high expectations from taxpayers and school districts, despite budget constraints. The new governor will succeed Newsom, who made education a priority by significantly increasing per-pupil funding, investing in community schools, expanding universal transitional kindergarten, providing free school meals for all students, increasing after-school and summer programs, supporting teacher recruitment efforts and approving legislation that changed how children are taught to read.

Soon after taking on the new role, the governor may also have to execute a plan to move oversight of the California Department of Education from the state superintendent of public instruction to a new education commission, if it is approved by the Legislature.

How are they polling?

Democrat Xavier Becerra, the former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, is leading the race, with 23% support, according to a Public Policy Institute of California poll released May 27. He is followed closely by Republican Steve Hilton, a political commentator and former adviser to U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron, with 20%; Democrat Tom Steyer, a billionaire investor, with 15%; Republican Chad Bianco, the Riverside County sheriff, with 13%; and Democrat Katie Porter, a former congressional representative, with 12% of voter support.

Although 61 candidates are on the ballot, polling suggests most of the other candidates have garnered little voter support.

The race looks different than it did earlier this year. Democrat Eric Swalwell, former U.S. representative for California’s 14th congressional district, was the front-runner before he dropped out on April 12 following allegations of sexual misconduct. Former State Controller Betty Yee also dropped out in April due to lack of financial and voter support.

Voters appear less excited about the race for superintendent of public instruction than they do for the gubernatorial race. A voter survey released in April by the PPIC found that none of the 10 candidates for the office had more than 10% of support among likely voters. About a third of the voters surveyed said they didn’t know who they would vote for in the race.

According to the survey, the leading contenders include San Diego Unified school board President Richard Barrera, Chino Valley Unified school board President Sonja Shaw, Assembly member Al Muratsuchi, former State Sen. Josh Newman, former Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, Los Angeles Community College District board member Nichelle Henderson and San Francisco public school teacher Ainye Long. 

The next superintendent of public instruction may have a completely different role if lawmakers approve legislation transferring oversight of the California Department of Education from the elected superintendent to a new education commission. 

Instead of running the department, the superintendent would likely be charged with evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of state education programs.

The two top vote-getters in both races will advance to the Nov. 3 general election.