California Governor’s Race Packs Drama

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The race for California governor features former presidential wannabes, a county sheriff, two women who could become the first female to hold the office, current and former House members and at least one billionaire. And it hasn’t officially started yet. The pending exit of term-limited Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has created the most wide-open field for the state’s highest office in memory. The 2026 race has lured a long list of candidates that include former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former Democratic U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and billionaire Tom Steyer, who sought the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.