Gavin Newsom cannot run for Governor of California in 2026. Under the current legal framework established by the California Constitution, the office of the governor is subject to strict lifetime term limits. Having been elected to the position twice—first in 2018 and again in 2022—Newsom has reached the maximum allowable tenure for any individual in this role. His second and final term is scheduled to conclude in January 2027, at which point he must vacate the office to make way for a newly elected successor.

Understanding California’s Lifetime Term Limit Laws

The primary reason Gavin Newsom is ineligible for re-election lies in the specific language of the California Constitution. Unlike the federal government’s executive branch, where the 22nd Amendment limits a President to two elected terms, state-level rules vary significantly across the United States. California maintains some of the most stringent term-limit regulations in the country.

The Legal Framework of Article V

Article V, Section 2 of the California Constitution dictates the eligibility requirements for the governorship. It explicitly states that no person who has been elected to the office of Governor may serve more than two terms. This is a "lifetime" limit, meaning that once an individual has served two terms, they are barred from ever holding that specific office again, regardless of how much time passes between terms.

This distinction is crucial. In some other states, term limits only apply to "consecutive" service. In those jurisdictions, a governor might serve two terms, sit out for four years, and then run again. California closed this possibility in the late 20th century to ensure a regular rotation of leadership and to prevent the consolidation of power within a single political figure for decades.

The History of Proposition 140

The movement toward strict term limits in California culminated in 1990 with the passage of Proposition 140. This voter-approved initiative sought to end what proponents described as the "career politician" phenomenon. Beyond the governorship, Proposition 140 also imposed limits on the State Assembly and State Senate, as well as other constitutional offices like the Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and Controller.

The implementation of Proposition 140 fundamentally altered the state's political landscape. Before its passage, there were no constitutional limits on how many times a governor could be re-elected. The initiative was a response to the long tenures of various state officials and reflected a public desire for "citizen legislators" rather than a permanent political class. While the law was challenged in court, the California Supreme Court eventually upheld the validity of these limits, cementing the two-term rule for future generations.

Gavin Newsom’s Gubernatorial Tenure and Election History

Gavin Newsom’s path to the governorship followed a traditional trajectory within California politics, having previously served as the Mayor of San Francisco and the Lieutenant Governor of California. However, his clock for the two-term limit began ticking officially in 2018.

The 2018 General Election

Newsom first secured the governorship in the 2018 election, succeeding the term-limited Jerry Brown. Running on a platform that emphasized progressive values, healthcare reform, and environmental protection, he defeated Republican challenger John Cox with approximately 61.9% of the vote. He was sworn into office on January 7, 2019, marking the start of his first official term.

The 2021 Recall Election and Term Eligibility

A unique moment in Newsom’s first term occurred in 2021 when a recall effort reached the ballot. The recall process allows California voters to remove an elected official from office before their term expires. On September 14, 2021, voters were asked two questions: whether Newsom should be removed and, if so, who should replace him.

Newsom successfully defeated the recall, with 61.9% of voters choosing to retain him. From a legal standpoint, the recall election did not count as a separate "term." Because the recall failed, Newsom simply continued serving his first term. Had the recall succeeded and Newsom been removed, he would have been ineligible to run in the replacement portion of that same election, though the legalities of whether he could run for a "second" term later would have been a matter of intense litigation. Since he remained in office, the 2021 event had no impact on his eligibility for a second full term in 2022.

The 2022 Re-election

In 2022, Newsom ran for his second term. He faced Republican state senator Brian Dahle. Newsom won decisively with nearly 60% of the vote. This victory triggered the final countdown of his eligibility. Under the state constitution, this second election victory was the final one permitted for him. By the time his current term ends in January 2027, he will have served eight years as the state’s chief executive.

Why Former Governor Jerry Brown Served Four Terms

A common point of confusion for those researching California’s term limits is the tenure of Jerry Brown, who served as governor for a total of four terms (1975–1983 and 2011–2019). This often leads to the question: If Jerry Brown could serve four terms, why can Gavin Newsom only serve two?

The answer lies in the timing of the legislation. Proposition 140, which enacted the lifetime limit, was passed in 1990. At that time, Jerry Brown had already served his first two terms (under the old rules where no limits existed). Crucially, the law was not retroactive in a way that counted terms served before the law was passed against future eligibility.

When Jerry Brown ran for governor again in 2010, the legal interpretation was that he was eligible for two "new" terms under the post-1990 rules. Because he had not been elected to the office since the implementation of the term limits, he was allowed to serve twice more. For any governor whose service began after 1990, such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Gray Davis, or Gavin Newsom, the two-term limit is absolute and immediate. There are no remaining "pre-limit" governors currently active in California politics, making Brown a historical anomaly.

The 2026 California Gubernatorial Race Without an Incumbent

Because Gavin Newsom is ineligible to run, the 2026 election will be an "open-seat" race. In California's political environment, an open-seat gubernatorial election typically attracts a large and highly competitive field of candidates from both major parties, as well as third-party contenders.

The Impact of the "Top-Two" Primary System

The 2026 race will be conducted under California's nonpartisan "top-two" primary system. In this system, all candidates appear on a single ballot regardless of party affiliation. The two candidates who receive the most votes in the June primary, even if they belong to the same party, proceed to the general election in November. This often leads to intra-party battles, particularly within the Democratic Party, which currently holds a supermajority in the state.

Potential Democratic Candidates

As of late 2025, several prominent Democrats have already declared their candidacy or expressed significant interest. The absence of an incumbent creates a rare opportunity for statewide officers and federal representatives to vie for the top spot.

  • Eleni Kounalakis: The current Lieutenant Governor was one of the first to announce her campaign. Having served alongside Newsom, she seeks to position herself as a continuation of the state's current trajectory while breaking the glass ceiling as the first female governor of California.
  • Tony Thurmond: The State Superintendent of Public Instruction has entered the race, focusing on education, labor rights, and social equity.
  • Betty Yee: The former State Controller and current Vice Chair of the California Democratic Party is running on a platform of fiscal accountability and economic reform.
  • Xavier Becerra: The former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and former California Attorney General has returned to the state political scene as a major contender.
  • Antonio Villaraigosa: The former Mayor of Los Angeles, who ran previously in 2018, remains a significant figure in the race with a focus on infrastructure and urban development.

Republican Contenders for the Seat

The Republican Party in California faces a challenging landscape, as a Republican has not won a statewide election since 2006. However, the open seat provides a platform for the party to critique the current administration's handling of issues like homelessness, cost of living, and crime.

  • Chad Bianco: The Riverside County Sheriff has emerged as a prominent conservative voice, often clashing with Newsom on law enforcement policies.
  • Steve Hilton: A political commentator and former adviser, Hilton has entered the fray with a focus on "positive populism" and governmental restructuring.
  • Leo Zacky: Representing the business sector, Zacky has participated in previous gubernatorial cycles and continues to advocate for agricultural and industrial interests.

The Impact of Term Limits on California Governance

The impending departure of Gavin Newsom highlights the broader debate over the efficacy of term limits. Supporters argue that these limits prevent the emergence of "political dynasties" and ensure that the governor remains responsive to the electorate rather than focused on perpetual re-election. By forcing a change in leadership every eight years, the state theoretically benefits from fresh perspectives and new policy priorities.

Conversely, critics suggest that term limits can lead to a "lame duck" period during a governor’s second term. As the end of the term approaches, the governor’s political capital may wane as legislators and stakeholders begin looking toward the next administration. Additionally, the loss of experienced executive leadership is often cited as a downside, as complicated state issues often require more than eight years to resolve fully.

In Newsom's case, his final years in office are likely to be defined by his attempts to cement his legacy on climate change, housing, and reproductive rights. Because he cannot run again for this office, his political moves are also being scrutinized for potential federal aspirations, though such paths remain speculative.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gavin Newsom’s Eligibility

Can Gavin Newsom run for a different office in California?

Yes. The term limits established by Proposition 140 are office-specific. While Newsom cannot run for Governor again, he is legally eligible to run for any other office, such as the U.S. Senate, or even a different state-level position like State Controller or Attorney General, provided he has not already hit the limits for those specific roles.

Is there any way to repeal the term limits before 2026?

Repealing or altering constitutional term limits would require a new ballot initiative approved by a majority of California voters. There is currently no significant movement or political appetite to change the two-term limit for the governorship, meaning the rules will remain in place for the 2026 cycle.

Did the 2021 recall attempt reset Newsom's terms?

No. A failed recall election has no impact on term limits. Newsom remained in his first term throughout the recall process. If he had been recalled and then later won a different election for governor years down the line, legal experts would have had to debate if the "partial" term counted as one of the two allowed. But since the recall failed, his two-term count proceeded normally.

What happens if a Governor dies or resigns during their term?

If a governor leaves office before their term is up, the Lieutenant Governor takes over. If the Lieutenant Governor then runs for a full term of their own, the time served as the "acting" governor usually does not count toward the two-term limit, provided they were not elected to that specific term.

Summary of Gavin Newsom’s Eligibility Status

Gavin Newsom is currently serving his second and final term as the Governor of California. Under the lifetime term limits mandated by the California Constitution (Article V, Section 2), he is strictly prohibited from seeking a third term in the 2026 election. The legal precedent set by Proposition 140 ensures that no individual can be elected to the governorship more than twice in their lifetime.

As the 2026 election approaches, California prepares for a significant transition. The field is already crowded with experienced politicians from across the spectrum, all vying to lead the world’s fifth-largest economy. For Newsom, the conclusion of his term in January 2027 will mark the end of an eight-year era, during which the state's political and legal boundaries around executive power remained firm.