2026 Midterms: Statewide and Kern County Candidates

March 3, 2026 /

California’s 2026 midterm elections are beginning to take shape, with an open governor’s race, lieutenant governor contest, and several competitive races in Kern County drawing early attention.

The statewide primary election will be held June 2, 2026, followed by the general election on Nov. 3.

Governor of California (Open Seat)

Candidates from both major parties have filed or declared for the June 2 primary. The top two finishers, regardless of party, will advance to November under California’s top-two system. 

Democratic

  • Ethan Agarwal, tech entrepreneur

  • Xavier Becerra, former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary and former California attorney general

  • Carolina Buhler, UCLA student

  • Ian Calderon, former state Assembly leader

  • Derek Grasty, San José school trustee

  • Katie Porter, former U.S. representative

  • Raji Rab, pilot and perennial candidate

  • George Slivka, activist

  • Tom Steyer, billionaire investor

  • Eric Swalwell, U.S. representative

  • Tony Thurmond, state superintendent of public instruction

  • Antonio Villaraigosa, former Los Angeles mayor

  • Betty Yee, former state controller and Democratic Party vice chair. 

(List may not be final as new candidates can still file before the March deadline.)

Republican

  • Chad Bianco, Riverside County sheriff

  • Steve Hilton, former political commentator and policy adviser 

California Lieutenant Governor Candidates 

All of these people have filed to run or are publicly known candidates for the June 2, 2026 primary (the top two advance to the Nov. 3 general election) under California’s top-two system.

Democratic Party

  • Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer.

  • Josh Fryday, chief service officer for the governor and former mayor of Novato.

  • Janelle Kellman, former mayor of Sausalito.

  • Oliver Ma, civil rights lawyer and immigrant/tenant rights advocate.

  • Tim Myers, musician and record producer. 
  • Jeyson Lopez

  • Michael Tubbs, former mayor of Stockton.  

Republican Party

  • Brian Jones, former state senator and GOP nominee for governor in 2022 
  • David Fennel, entrepreneur

U.S. House: California 22nd District (Central Valley, includes parts of Kern)

In the Central Valley, including parts of Kern County, California’s 22nd Congressional District is expected to remain competitive.

The seat is currently held by Republican Rep. David Valadao. The district has switched party control in recent years and is considered one of the more competitive House districts in the state.

Candidates include:

  • David G. Valadao (R), incumbent U.S. representative

  • Jasmeet Bains (D), physician and community leader

  • Eric Garcia (D), veteran

  • Rudy Salas (D), former state Assemblymember

  • Randy Villegas (D), Visalia Unified School District Board of Trustees

California State Senate: District 16 (Kern County and Central Valley)

In the state Legislature, Senate District 16, which includes parts of Bakersfield and the Central Valley, could also draw attention.

Democratic Sen. Melissa Hurtado currently represents the district.

Current known candidates: 

  • Melissa Hurtado (D), incumbent state senator

  • Guillermo Gonzalez (R), businessman

  • Manpreet Kaur (D), vice mayor of Bakersfield

State Assembly seats covering Bakersfield and nearby communities will also be on the ballot.

California State Assembly: District 35 (Bakersfield Area)

In the Assembly district covering much of Bakersfield, the following have declared: 

  • Saul Ayon (R), mayor of McFarland

  • Andrae Gonzales (D), Bakersfield city council member

  • Ana Palacio (D), emergency room nurse

The last day to register to vote for the June 2 primary election is May 18, 2026. All active registered voters in California will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the election. County elections offices will begin mailing ballots by May 4, 2026, and ballot drop-off locations will open May 5.

Vote-by-mail ballots may be returned by mail, at a drop-off location or at a county elections office. In counties that follow the Voter’s Choice Act model, vote centers will open for early in-person voting beginning May 23, 2026. Ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by June 9, 2026, to be counted.

Haley Duval

Haley is a reporter for Kern Sol News since December of 2023. She was born and raised in East Bakersfield and went to Foothill High School. Haley studied Journalism at Bakersfield College. When Haley is not reporting, she enjoys writing poetry, reading, traveling and spending time with friends and family. She can be reach at haley@southkernsol.org.