Former California Assembly leader Ian Calderon jumps into governor’s race
A former Democratic leader in the state Assembly announced his entry into the 2026 governor’s race, pledging to make housing prices and affordability the center of his campaign.
At 27, Ian Calderon became the first millennial elected to the state Assembly in 2012 and in 2016 became the chamber’s youngest majority leader. In 2020 he chose not to seek reelection in favor of spending more time with his young family.
In a video announcing his candidacy, Calderon distances himself from California’s Democratic ruling class – which he blames for the state’s unattainably high home prices – and says it’s time for “a new generation of leadership” focused on working families.
“I’m a Democrat, but I don’t take marching orders from anyone and I certainly don’t always agree with my party,” he says in the video. “I’m a Democrat who believes in working families, small businesses and common sense solutions, not the political extremes holding California back.”
Calderon continues over footage of him surfing in the ocean and wrangling kids out the door to school with his wife: “California should be the best place in the world to raise a family, buy a home and build a future, but to get there we need a new generation of leadership – one that listens, adapts, gets results.”
Calderon is a powerful name in California politics and the Los Angeles area: Ian’s father, Charles Calderon, served decades in the Legislature, including as majority leader, and his stepmother, Lisa Calderon, ran to replace him in the Assembly 2020. She still holds the seat today.
Tom and Ron Calderon, uncles to Ian Calderon, also each served in the Legislature and pleaded guilty to corruption charges in 2016.
He joins a crowded Democratic field in the race to replace termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom next year, which includes state Senate leader Toni Atkins, Biden cabinet member Xavier Becerra, billionaire businessman Stephen Cloobeck, former Rep. Katie Porter, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and former state Controller Betty Yee. Republicans Chad Bianco, the sheriff of Riverside County, and Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host, are also running.
Recent polls have shown Porter leading the candidates, but with most voters undecided, the race is considered wide open.
This story was originally published September 23, 2025 at 10:32 AM with the headline "Former California Assembly leader Ian Calderon jumps into governor’s race."
