Fiona Ma and Gloria Romero Vie for California Lieutenant Governor
Democratic Treasurer Fiona Ma and Republican Gloria Romero are the final candidates competing for the office of Lieutenant Governor of California in the 2026 election.
Democratic state Treasurer Fiona Ma and Republican former state Senator Gloria Romero are the final candidates competing for the office of Lieutenant Governor of California in the 2026 election. Ma entered the general election as the June primary leader with 19.1% of the vote, while Romero followed with 17.8%.
Ma's platform focuses on addressing AI disruptions through public-private partnerships in higher education, increasing student housing on state-owned land, and exempting military retirement pay from state income taxes. She argues that such partnerships are needed because of the disruptions occurring in the AI space.
Romero, a former Democrat who switched parties in 2024, advocates for expanding school choice and abolishing the federal Department of Education. She supports reinstating the SAT and standardized testing for public college admissions, claiming too many students graduate unprepared for college-level work. Her platform also includes support for new oil exploration and wildfire prevention measures.
The candidates are competing to replace Eleni Kounalakis, who is terming out of office. The role involves presiding over the state Senate and serving on influential coastal and higher education boards.
