California Statewide Offices

California Governor

California
State
Election
Vote On:
November 3, 2026

about this guide

To help voters better understand where each candidate stands on issues that matter to people of faith, candidates were invited to respond to a set of specific questions. Their answers are presented below in their own words, without commentary or endorsement, so that voters can weigh each candidate's positions and make an informed decision.

Candidates

Pick candidates to set them head-to-head and compare their answers on the issues, side by side (the candidates will sort in alphabetical order).
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Steve Hilton

Republican
R
did not
answer

Xavier Becerra

Democrat
D

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Candidates were asked specific questions to help voters better understand their views on issues important to people of faith.

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Xavier Becerra
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Select up to six candidates above and their answers to key issues will appear here, side by side.
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The issues

Steve Hilton

Republican
R
Clear Selection
Xavier Becerra

Xavier Becerra

Democrat
D
Clear Selection

The issues

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Elections

What is your view on the 2026 California ballot proposition that requires voters to show a government-issued photo identification to vote?
Voter ID is basic common sense. You need ID to board a plane, open a bank account, or cash a check. Voting should be no different. Requiring photo ID helps ensure trust in our elections, and trust is everything. We should make it easy and free for every eligible voter to get an ID, but there’s nothing controversial about wanting secure elections that people have confidence in.
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No response was submitted for this question.

Budget

The California's budget deficit continues to grow. What approach do you believe the government should take to address the mounting debt?
California isn’t broke because Californians aren’t paying enough. It’s because government is too big, too wasteful, and not accountable. After 16 years of one party rule, spending has exploded. We pay the highest taxes in the country for the worst results. We need a full audit of state spending, real transparency, and a focus on core priorities. I launched CAL DOGE to expose fraud and waste, and as governor I’ll apply that same approach across state government. We will find, stop and prosecute fraud - and wherever possible, get our money back. At the same time, we need to grow the economy again by lowering costs and making it easier to build, hire, and invest.
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No response was submitted for this question.

Israel

What is your view on U.S. support for Israel?
America should stand firmly with Israel. Israel is a democratic ally that shares our values and is on the front line against terrorism. I’ve been very clear that antisemitism is rising and must be confronted directly, whether it’s overseas or here at home. Supporting Israel is about standing with a free society defending itself and standing against terrorism. That should not be a controversial position.
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No response was submitted for this question.

Border

What is your view of President Donald Trump's measures to enhance border security?
A country without secure borders isn’t really a country. Enforcing the law, stopping illegal entry, and restoring order to the system are basic responsibilities of government. President Trump’s approach recognized that and took it seriously. The problem today is that Democrats have fought that approach, weakened enforcement, and created a system that isn’t working. Californians are dealing with the consequences. We need a system that is lawful, controlled, and works. That starts with enforcement, not ignoring the problem.
Did not answer
No response was submitted for this question.

Marriage

In 2024, Californians voted to amend the Constitution to establish marriage as a fundamental right regardless of sex. What is your view on this amendment?
This issue has been settled by the voters through a constitutional amendment, and no governor has the constitutional authority to change that. My focus is on where state government can actually make a difference, especially lowering costs and improving quality of life. Strong marriages and stable families are the biggest factor in whether children succeed, yet too many policies in California make it harder, not easier, for families to come together, stay together and thrive. We should be strengthening families and supporting parents, including by working with faith-based and community organizations that are already doing that work.
Did not answer
No response was submitted for this question.

Abortion

What is your view on abortion and the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to return the issue to the states?
Thanks to President Trump the Supreme Court returned this issue to the democratic process, which is where it belongs. In California, the constitution was amended in a ballot initiative passed by 67%, and no governor has the constitutional authority to change that. But California talks about values while too often leaving women without real support. If the state is serious about valuing life, that has to include both mother and child. We should be expanding prenatal care, strengthening adoption, and working with faith-based and community organizations to provide real, practical support. Too often abortion is treated as the only option. California can do better by making it easier for families to grow and thrive. I will do everything in my power as governor to move our state towards life.
Did not answer
No response was submitted for this question.

Parental Rights

What is your view of the Supreme Court’s decision supporting a parents’ right to know about their child’s gender issues at school?
I believe that parents should not be cut out of their children’s lives. That’s just common sense. Schools exist to support families, not replace them. Keeping secrets from parents breaks trust and puts government in a role it should never have. Of course, these situations should be handled with care and sensitivity, but the starting point has to be honesty and respect for parents’ rights. As governor I will be a champion for parental rights in education.
Did not answer
No response was submitted for this question.

Vaccines

What is your view of vaccine mandates for public school students?
Government mandates, especially one-size-fits-all rules, have gone too far. We saw during COVID how heavy-handed mandates damaged trust and ignored legitimate concerns from parents. Decisions about children’s health should involve parents and doctors, not politicians and bureaucrats. We should be focused on transparency, choice, and rebuilding trust, not forcing compliance. That’s how you get better outcomes. I was one of the first people in the country to speak out against covid lockdowns, and later against the totally unjustified vaccine mandates. As governor I will establish a Covid Accountability Commission to make sure the people who made such far-reaching decisions that did so much harm are held accountable, and that we do everything in our power to compensate people who were harmed.
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