Former California lawmaker Ian Calderon joins governor's race

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Former state Assemblymember Ian Calderon, a millennial who became the youngest majority leader in California history, has entered the race to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom. Calderon, 39, announced his candidacy Sept. 23, 2025, in a social media video.

Calderon, 39, who was the youngest majority leader in California history, cast himself as the voice of a new generation in a state where Democrats outnumber registered Republicans by nearly two-to-one. In the video announcing his campaign, he said California should be the best place to raise a family, buy a home and build a future, but that will require a new generation of leadership. He previously chose not to seek reelection in 2020 to spend more time with his wife and their young children.

Calderon’s campaign emphasizes affordability and economic renewal. He has said he would tackle gas prices, housing affordability and child care costs, framing them as central to California’s ability to thrive for families and workers. He has signaled an openness to innovative approaches to state governance and technology, arguing that California should leverage new tools to improve programs and services for residents.

In a separate policy note, Calderon said he would pursue cryptocurrency initiatives as a state-level tool. During a livestream he called the event “Crypto Town Hall,” he stated that, once in office, the state should consider holding bitcoin on its balance sheet as part of a modernized financial strategy. He did not offer a timeline for implementation, but described the idea as part of a broader push to make state operations more tech-forward and fiscally flexible.

Calderon’s lineage runs deep in California politics. He succeeded his father, Charles Calderon, in the Assembly, continuing a family footprint that includes two uncles, Ron Calderon and Tom Calderon, who also served in the Legislature before both were convicted on public corruption charges in 2016. His stepmother, Lisa Calderon, later succeeded him in the Assembly, underscoring the family’s enduring presence in state government.

The race to replace Newsom is crowded. On the Republican side, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and conservative commentator Steve Hilton have announced bids. Democrats hold a substantial advantage in donor rolls and registration, and the party is widely favored to keep the seat, though the field remains competitive as the 2026 gubernatorial election approaches. Newsom’s current term runs through early January 2027, leaving ample time for contenders to shape the early narrative around California’s next governor.

Beyond Calderon, prominent Democrats already in the mix include Xavier Becerra, Katie Porter and Antonio Villaraigosa, among others, illustrating a broad and high-profile field seeking to define California’s policy trajectory on issues ranging from housing and costs of living to technology and state finances.