Bay Area technology entrepreneur Ethan Agarwal became the first high-profile newcomer to formally enter California’s 2026 gubernatorial contest, telling Axios on 25 August that he will seek the Democratic nomination. Agarwal, who helped raise more than $140 million across two start-ups and brands himself as “a Democrat who believes in capitalism,” said his campaign will focus on reversing the state’s high cost of living and stemming the flight of businesses and residents. A day later, Politico reported that U.S. Senator Alex Padilla is actively exploring a run to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom, who is barred from seeking re-election when his term ends in January 2027. Padilla’s office did not deny the consideration, and ABC7 subsequently noted the senator’s statewide profile and fundraising ability could instantly alter a field that already includes former congresswoman Katie Porter, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Health Secretary Xavier Becerra. The race remains fluid. A Berkeley IGS survey released last week showed 38 percent of voters undecided; among those expressing a preference, Porter led with 17 percent, followed by Bianco at 10 percent and Becerra at 9 percent. The debate over Newsom’s Proposition 50—his bid for voter-approved mid-decade redistricting that will appear on the 4 November ballot—has further complicated early maneuvering by tying the gubernatorial campaign to a broader national fight over congressional maps.