Wikipedia

2026 California lieutenant gubernatorial election

(Redirected from Janelle Kellman)

The 2026 California lieutenant gubernatorial election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the lieutenant governor of California. Incumbent Democrat Eleni Kounalakis is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third term in office; she is instead running for state treasurer.[1] A primary election was held on June 2 with Democrat Fiona Ma, the state's Treasurer, advancing to the general election alongside Republican former state senator Gloria Romero.[2]

2026 California lieutenant gubernatorial election
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November 3, 2026
2030 →
 
Candidate Fiona Ma Gloria Romero
Party Democratic Republican
Incumbent Lieutenant Governor

Eleni Kounalakis
Democratic


Candidates

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Democratic Party

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Advanced to general

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Eliminated in primary

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Withdrawn

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Republican Party

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Advanced to general

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Eliminated in primary

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  • James P. Cameron (write-in)[9]
  • David Collenberg, farmer and business owner[13]
  • David Fennell, entrepreneur and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2018 and 2022[14]
  • Ebie Lynch, nurse[15]
  • Skip Shelton, defense technology executive[6]

Withdrawn

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No party preference

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Eliminated in primary

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  • Rakesh Christian, business owner, candidate for mayor of Antioch in 2024[6]
  • Sean Collinson, mediator[18]

Peace and Freedom Party

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Eliminated in primary

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Primary election

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Endorsements

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Josh Fryday (D)

Executive branch officials

Statewide officials
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives
State legislators
Municipal officials
Labor unions
Organizations
Newspapers
Janelle Kellman (D)
Organizations
Newspapers
Fiona Ma (D)
Statewide officials
State legislators
Municipal officials
Labor unions
Organizations
Newspapers
Oliver Ma (D)
Labor unions
Organizations
Gloria Romero (R)
Individuals
Political parties
Michael Tubbs (D)
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives
State legislators
County officials
Municipal officials
Individuals
Political parties
Labor unions
Organizations
Newspapers

Polling

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Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[a]		 Margin
of error		 David
Fennell
(R)		 Fiona
Ma
(D)		 Gloria
Romero
(R)		 Michael
Tubbs
(D)		 Josh
Fryday
(D)		 Undecided
David Binder Research (D)[74][A] January 20–25, 2026 800 (LV) ± 3.5% 18% 16% 11% 4% 2% 50%
Hypothetical polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[a]		 Margin
of error		 Brian
Dahle
(R)		 Fiona
Ma
(D)		 Gloria
Romero
(R)		 Michael
Tubbs
(D)		 Other Undecided
Tulchin Research (D)[75][B] January 29 – February 4, 2026 800 (LV) ± 3.5% 20% 18% 10% 5% 13%[b] 34%

Results

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Results by county
  F. Ma
  •   10–20%
  •   20–30%
  •   30–40%
  Romero
  •   10–20%
  •   20–30%
  Fryday
  •   20–30%
  •   30–40%
  Tubbs
  •   10–20%
  Collenberg
  •   10–20%
  •   20–30%
  •   30–40%
Primary election results[76]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Fiona Ma 1,631,240 19.13
Republican Gloria Romero 1,520,334 17.83
Democratic Josh Fryday 1,256,204 14.73
Democratic Michael Tubbs 1,131,571 13.27
Democratic Oliver Ma 620,735 7.28
Republican David Collenberg 593,955 6.96
Republican David Fennell 521,183 6.11
Republican Skip Shelton 345,118 4.05
Democratic Janelle Kellman 311,051 3.65
Republican Ebie Lynch 156,616 1.84
Democratic Tim Myers 132,475 1.55
Peace and Freedom Alice Stek 124,989 1.47
Democratic Jeyson Lopez 93,970 1.10
Democratic Abdur Sikder 51,568 0.60
No party preference Sean Collinson 24,906 0.29
No party preference Rakesh Christian 12,858 0.15
Total votes 8,528,773 100.0

General election

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Results

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2026 California lieutenant gubernatorial election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Fiona Ma
Republican Gloria Romero
Total votes

See also

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Notes

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  1. 1 2 Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. ↑ Janelle Kellman (D), Oliver Ma (D), and Tim Myers (D) with 3%; Josh Fryday (D) and Alice Stek (PFP) with 2%

Partisan and media clients

  1. ↑ Poll sponsored by Josh Fryday's campaign
  2. ↑ Poll sponsored by Fiona Ma's campaign

References

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  1. ↑ "Eleni Kounalakis drops out of California governor's race, pivots to downballot campaign". POLITICO. August 8, 2025. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Dates and Deadlines". Close the Gap California. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  3. ↑ Flores, Hilda (June 2, 2023). "State Treasurer Fiona Ma formally announces bid for CA lieutenant governor". KCRA-TV. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  4. ↑ Cadelago, Christopher (March 5, 2025). "Newsom's 'Sargent Shriver' running for California lieutenant governor". Politico. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
  5. ↑ Bajko, Matthew (December 13, 2023). "Out Sausalito councilmember Kellman runs for CA lt. gov". Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "2026 California Primary Notice to Candidates - Lieutenant Governor" (PDF). California Secretary of State. March 21, 2026.
  7. ↑ Belcher, Phyllis (October 13, 2025). "Democrats to hold meet-and-greet with Ma". Tehachapi News. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  8. ↑ Melhado, William (July 7, 2025). "Can this former rock star help California resist Trump as the second-in-command?". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
  9. 1 2 Weber, Shirley N. (May 22, 2026). "CERTIFIED LIST OF WRITE-IN CANDIDATES, JUNE 2, 2026, PRIMARY ELECTION" (PDF). Secretary of State of California. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
  10. ↑ Contreras, Russell (July 17, 2024). "Progressive hero seeks political comeback in California". Axios. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  11. 1 2 Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (June 9, 2025). "Major escalations in LA as Newsom, Trump fight over Guard troops". Politico. Retrieved June 9, 2025. Former state Sen. Steven Bradford is out of the race for lieutenant governor, but he's still hoping to boost a political ally's fortunes in the contest. Bradford will today endorse State Treasurer Fiona Ma
  12. ↑ Mehta, Seema (January 12, 2026). "Democrat-turned-Republican Gloria Romero announces run for lieutenant governor". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  13. ↑ Kym Kemp (December 11, 2025). "David Collenberg running for governor - Mad River Union". Mad River Union. Retrieved March 21, 2026. A locally raised farmer and businessman currently living in Siskiyou County but operating Lost Coast Hay and Feed in Eureka, David Collenberg, is carrying out a conservative, grassroots campaign for governor of California.
  14. ↑ "California Secretary of State - CalAccess - Campaign Finance - David Fennell for Lieutenant Governor 2026". cal-access.sos.ca.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
  15. ↑ Ebeledike, Neenma (May 19, 2026). "How Ebie Lynch, California Lt. Gov. Candidate, Is Called To Serve". The Sacramento Observer.
  16. ↑ Symon, Evan (March 5, 2025). "Chief Service Officer Josh Fryman Announces Run For Lt. Governor". California Globe. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  17. ↑ "David Serpa for Governor". www.davidserpaforgovernor.com. May 26, 2025. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
  18. ↑ Allen, Drew (March 18, 2026). "Don't Sleep on the CA Lieutenant Governor's Race". California Globe. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Alice Stek Endorsed by PFP for Lieutenant Governor". Peace and Freedom. August 11, 2025. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  20. ↑ Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (January 30, 2026). "The Mahan factor and Newsom's shade". Politico. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  21. ↑ "BIG NEWS: Governor @GavinNewsom is endorsing my campaign for Lieutenant Governor! As a Navy Veteran, former Mayor, and member of the Governor's Cabinet, I've spent my career in service solving problems and delivering real results for people". X. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  22. ↑ https://www.politico.com/newsletters/california-playbook/2026/05/08/why-becerra-is-welcome-in-newsoms-orbit-00911150. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Newsom blasts shutdown deal". Politico. November 10, 2025.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake; Mason, Melanie (February 4, 2026). "Dumpster diving and DNA: How Newsom writes about local media". Politico. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  25. 1 2 Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake; White, Jeremy (February 17, 2026). "California's 'crazy' ballot measure economy and Newsom's world tour". Politico. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  26. 1 2 Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (January 27, 2026). "Republicans navigate Alex Pretti's killing". Politico. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
  27. ↑ Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (May 12, 2026). "Pelosi's succession waiting game". Politico. Retrieved May 12, 2026.
  28. 1 2 Baustin, Noah; Nieves, Alex; Von Kaenel, Camille (March 5, 2026). "Everyone wants a piece of the budget". Politico. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  29. ↑ Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (December 19, 2025). "Predictions we got right (or wrong)". Politico. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  30. ↑ "Endorsed Candidates". With Honor Fund III. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  31. ↑ "2026 California Endorsements". Center For Biological Diversity Action FundIII. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  32. ↑ "The lieutenant governor is more than a backup. Here's the best person for the job".
  33. ↑ "The lieutenant governor is more than a backup. Here's the best person for the job".
  34. ↑ "The lieutenant governor is more than a backup. Here's the best person for the job".
  35. ↑ "The lieutenant governor is more than a backup. Here's the best person for the job".
  36. ↑ "The Examiner endorses Josh Fryday for lieutenant governor". San Francisco Examiner. May 21, 2026. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  37. ↑ "The lieutenant governor is more than a backup. Here's the best person for the job".
  38. ↑ "East Area Progressive Democrats: Endorsements". East Area Progressive Democrats. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  39. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bajko, Matthew S. (March 26, 2025). "Political Notebook: LPAC nod buoys out CA lt. gov candidate Kellman". Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  40. ↑ "2026 Stonewall Endorsed Candidates". Stonewall Democrats. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  41. ↑ "Editorial: Kellman for lieutenant governor". Bay Area Reporter. May 6, 2026. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  42. ↑ Jones, Blake; Gardiner, Dustin (August 12, 2025). "Why a gerrymandering critic wants to toss out California's maps". Politico. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  43. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Bajko, Matthew S. (August 11, 2025). "Political Notes: LGBTQ leaders take sides in CA lt. gov race". Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  44. 1 2 3 Jones, Blake; Gardiner, Dustin (February 20, 2025). "Can Valadao avoid his health care Kryptonite?". Politico. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
  45. ↑ Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (February 5, 2026). "Caruso reconsiders and a Newsom critic cools down". Politico. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  46. 1 2 3 "Over 30 Current and Former California Mayors Endorse Fiona Ma, CPA for Lieutenant Governor". The Los Angeles Post. March 10, 2025. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  47. 1 2 3 4 5 Jones, Blake; Gardiner, Dustin; Norman, Nicole (December 11, 2025). "The shadow campaign for attorney general kicks into gear". Politico. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  48. ↑ Holden, Lindsey (October 23, 2025). "Donald Trump, Daniel Lurie and San Francisco's eventful week". Politico. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  49. ↑ "California's Largest Labor Federation Backs Fiona Ma for Lieutenant Governor". Redheaded Blackbelt. March 20, 2026. Retrieved March 20, 2026.
  50. ↑ Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (January 28, 2026). "The case for (and against) a Matt Mahan run". Politico. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  51. ↑ Sinogui, Florencio (September 11, 2025). "Teamsters Local 665 & Teamsters California Endorse State Candidates". Teamsters Local 665. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  52. 1 2 "California — UAW Region 6". UAW Region 6. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  53. 1 2 3 4 Jones, Blake; Gardiner, Dustin; White, Jeremy (January 6, 2026). "The tax fight dividing California Democrats". Politico. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  54. 1 2 "Endorsement: Elect Fiona Ma California's next lieutenant governor". The Mercury News. May 10, 2026. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  55. ↑ "CA DSA Endorses Oliver Ma for Lieutenant Governor of California". California DSA. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  56. ↑ "California Primary Election Voter Guide 2026" (PDF). CAIR Action. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  57. ↑ "Voter Guide-2026 Primary". Our Revolution East Bay. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  58. ↑ "Endorsements for 2026". Progressive Victory. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  59. ↑ Barth, Megan (January 13, 2026). "Steve Hilton Selects Former Democrat Gloria Romero as Lt. Governor Running Mate in Push to End One-Party Rule in California". California Globe. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  60. ↑ Republican Party, California (April 12, 2026). "The California Republican Party has endorsed @GloriaJRomero for Lieutenant Governor". California Republican Party. Retrieved April 12, 2026.
  61. ↑ City, News Service (April 12, 2026). "State Republicans fail to endorse candidate for governor". ABC10 News San Diego. Retrieved April 12, 2026.
  62. 1 2 "Left Unity has begun for the June 2026 primary election". December 18, 2025. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
  63. 1 2 3 Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (February 5, 2025). "Rob Bonta is keeping his day job". Politico. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  64. ↑ "Congressman Khanna has always led with principle — from championing an economy that works for everyone to fighting for transparency and justice. I'm grateful for his support and look forward to working alongside him on behalf of working Californians". Instagram. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  65. ↑ Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (January 29, 2026). "Mahan jumps in and Rivas draws a line". Politico. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
  66. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (March 20, 2025). "Daniel Lurie calls in A-list CEOs". Politico. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  67. 1 2 3 Jones, Blake; Gardiner, Dustin; Norman, Nicole (July 16, 2025). "Valadao challenger makes it official". Politico. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  68. ↑ Mason, Melanie; Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (October 15, 2025). "Rick Caruso isn't ruling anything out". Politico. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  69. ↑ "Endorsements". California Faculty Association. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  70. ↑ Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (December 10, 2025). "Gavin Newsom looks back". Politico. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  71. ↑ "Endorsements June 2026 Primary Endorsement Process". Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  72. ↑ "Courage Endorses Progressive Candidate Tom Steyer for California Governor". Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  73. ↑ "Endorsement: California lieutenant governor is a 'backwater.' But Michael Tubbs will know what to do with it | Opinion". San Francisco Chronicle. April 11, 2026. Retrieved April 15, 2026.
  74. ↑ "New Polling Shows California Lieutenant Governor Race Wide Open" (PDF). January 20, 2026. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  75. ↑ Tulchin, Ben; O’Neil, Corey; Teter, Corey; Joseph, Caroline (February 10, 2026). "Poll Shows Fiona Ma Strongly Positioned in the Race for Lieutenant Governor" (PDF). Retrieved February 16, 2026.
  76. ↑ "California Lieutenant Governor Primary Results 2026". NBC News. June 2, 2026. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
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