Ian Calderon Enters 2026 California Governor Race

Former California Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon, 39 and the first millennial elected to the Assembly, has entered the crowded June 2, 2026 Democratic primary for governor as a self-styled moderate focused on affordability — housing, groceries, gas and childcare — and pitching a “new generation” of leadership. Calderon left the Legislature in 2020, founded the strategic advising firm Majority Advisers, and is leaning heavily into pro-crypto policy, proposing that California hold Bitcoin on its balance sheet and exploring crypto payments for state programs. He frames his campaign as pragmatic and independent of party orthodoxy and cites prior legislative work. Calderon comes from a prominent Southern California political family, and some relatives have pleaded guilty to corruption. He joins a large Democratic field that includes Katie Porter, Xavier Becerra, Toni Atkins, Antonio Villaraigosa, Betty Yee and Tony Thurmond, while Republicans such as Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton have also declared bids.