2026 Election: Big political battles ahead for California, including race for governor, midterms and Nancy Pelosi’s seat

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — The year 2026 is sure to bring another round of big political battles and shifts in leadership ahead of what’s expected to be a hotly contested midterm election season.

Needless to say, it’s going to be a busy year.

That’s right. We’ll have several competitive and already expensive races throughout California that will impact not only the future of our state, but the balance of power in Congress.

Next week, Gov. Gavin Newsom will give his final state of the state address for his last year in this office.

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And for the first time since the pandemic, the two-term Democrat will give his speech during a joint session of the California legislature at the capitol.

Newsom’s lame duck year isn’t expected to be easy, with California’s budget deficit projected to reach nearly $18 billion.

With the governor’s term ending, so begins the crowded race to replace him.

More than a dozen candidates are vying to be California’s chief executive.

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“This race has just gotten so slight and so big. It’s really anybody’s race,” said Justin Berton, political consultant.

In a contest that, so far, has been slow to pick up momentum.

“Most polling shows, even the top, you know, polling candidates are only getting 12, 13, 14% of the electorate. There’s as much as 44, 45% of the electorate undecided,” said political consultant Jim Ross.

Policy debates might change but some themes are emerging.

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“Affordability is the word of 2025 and early 2026. That’s all these candidates are going to talk about: affordability and Trump,” Berton said.

Nationwide, more focus will be on the midterms, as the GOP battles to keep its razor thin majority in Congress, with Democrats confident about taking back power.

And in San Francisco, all eyes will be on the competitive June primary to replace Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, after nearly four decades in Congress.

The bigger question mark for these midterm elections is whether or not states’ gerrymandering efforts will pay off. Of course, California voters approved new maps designed to help Democrats easily flip five seats currently held by Republicans.

But several red states, like Texas, also created new maps designed to help the GOP. Where things stand now, if all goes as intended, Republicans are poised to pick up as many as nine seats and Democrats could pick up six seats.