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Inside California’s Crowded Governor’s Race

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Betty Yee, former California State Controller, speaks during a state gubernatorial forum at the UCSF Mission Bay campus in San Francisco on Jan. 26, 2026. The forum was hosted by the Urban League of the Bay Area. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)

Airdate: Tuesday, April 7 at 10 AM

California’s jam-packed governor’s primary may lead to a historic political shakeup this fall. Polls show the two leading Republicans, Riverside county sheriff Chad Bianco and political commentator Steve Hilton, could consolidate enough support to lock Democrats out of the November general election. That leaves the crowded field of Democrats — which includes Rep. Eric Swalwell, former congresswoman Katie Porter and billionaire businessman Tom Steyer — scrambling to secure one of the top spots. We’ll break down the major players in this packed race and hear what issues matter most to Californians as they prepare to vote.

Guests:

Guy Marzorati, correspondent, KQED's California Politics and Government Desk

Marisa Lagos, politics correspondent, KQED; co-host, Political Breakdown

Seema Mehta, politics reporter, Los Angeles Times

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