Antonio Villaraigosa

The Upcoming California Gubernatorial Race In 2026

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California, the largest state in population, with 39 million people, will have a new Governor elected in 2026, as two term Governor Gavin Newsom, is term limited, but will certainly be pursuing the Democratic nomination for President in 2028, with many early polls indicating he is the frontrunner at this point.

California has been a reliably Democratic state since the 1990s, so although Republicans will contest the election, the odds are very heavy against any opportunity for success.

There are a multitude of potential candidates in both parties, with the Republicans’ most likely choice seen as probably Steve Hilton, a political commentator for Fox News Channel, and who in the past, worked for the British government.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris, the losing Presidential nominee in 2024, decided NOT to seek the Governorship, and is still considering a Presidential campaign for 2028.

The Democrats have many potential candidates, but the two that stick out the most are former Congresswoman Katie Porter, former candidate for the US Senate in 2024, and Congressman Eric Swalwell, with Swalwell at this point in the lead in public opinion polls.

But Xavier Becerra, former Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden, and former California Attorney General; and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, cannot be ignored.

The view of this author and blogger is that Eric Swalwell would be the best, most electable Democrat, although before his entrance into the race, Katie Porter was seen as the frontrunner.

A Move Toward A Centrist Political Party, Called “No Labels”, And The Role Of Michael Bloomberg And Joe Scarborough!

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At Columbia University in New York City, on December 13, a centrist group is going to form a “No Labels” centrist movement to promote civility in American politics.

Among those who will engage in this new movement are the following: Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City; former Republican Florida Congressman Joe Scarborough, MSNBC talk show host of “Morning Joe”; retiring Democratic Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana; Independent Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut; Democratic Senator Debby Stabenow of Michigan; former Republican Congressman Tom Davis of Virginia; Republican Congressman Christopher Shays of Connecticut;  Democratic Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa of Los Angeles; and former Republican Governor Christie Todd Whitman of New Jersey, among others!

The group is against hyper partisanship, and promotes civility, calm, reason, and cooperation. Prominent fundraisers are involved in the new movement, and the hope is to form chapters in all 50 states.

There is growing speculation that Mayor Bloomberg might run as an independent for President, and some even speculate that Joe Scarborough might seek the Presidency or run with Bloomberg for Vice President on an independent party ticket, although the “No Labels” group claims that is not the purpose of the organization being formed!

One thing for sure: Joe Scarborough has begun a full scale attack on the incompetence and inadequacy of former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as a possible candidate for the Presidency by the Republican Party, joining many others who feel the same way, including not only Barbara Bush and Karl Rove, but also conservative columnists Mona Charen, David Frum, and Peggy Noonan.

Certainly, if Bloomberg were to run, being the wealthiest political figure in the nation, with billions of dollars in assets, he could fund his own campaign, but the question is could he win over the country with his overly liberal views on social issues, and being a New York Jew! In an early poll, it shows he would only win about eleven percent of the vote, but in a dry run with President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney, Obama would be the beneficiary, as Bloomberg would hurt Romney more than he would hurt Obama!