Antisemitism emerges as a defining issue in 2026 California governor’s race

Mihaela Chircă

In a state where housing costs, wildfires, and water shortages usually dominate campaign rhetoric, the 2026 race for California governor is being shaped to a significant extent around a different flashpoint: antisemitism.At a packed gubernatorial forum Thursday night at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, five leading candidates - Democrat Rep. Eric Swalwell, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, entrepreneur Tom Steyer, and Republican businessman