Public Policy Institute of California
5%4%3%2%1%0%
California Governor winner?
$46.6M
NOV 4, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Overview
Current rolePolitical candidate
PartyIndependent
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age49 years old (Jul 30, 1976)
GenderMale
Show moreShow less
LocationCalifornia
BackgroundPolitical candidate
Notable personal detailsDaniel R. Mercuri is a California political candidate and U.S. Navy veteran who has run for federal office (U.S. House, California’s 25th district in 2020) and previously ran for governor during the 2021 gubernatorial recall and the 2022 gubernatorial primary. He has described his professional background as including advertising/marketing and independent media production, and has also identified as an author. He has been based in Ventura County, California.
SourcesShowHide
danielforcalgovernor.comfec.govvigarchive.sos.ca.goven.wikipedia.orgivoterguide.comunivision.comvote-usa.orgelectstats.humboldtgov.orglatimes.comhometownstation.comaltahistorian.comkclu.orgfppc.ca.govvig.cdn.sos.ca.govsjgov.orglavote.govreddit.comfoxla.comthenewfounders.usmountaintopmedia.podbean.comkion546.comltg.ca.govreformcalifornia.orgirli.orgsfgate.comgov.ca.govcongress.govballotready.orgwashingtonpost.comcbsnews.comsfchronicle.comblog.x.comcdn.ballotpedia.orgstatic.votesmart.orgmoney.cnn.comes.wikipedia.orgvotesmart.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orggovinfo.govjudiciary.senate.govcommdocs.house.govwikidata.orgclerk.house.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Advocates eliminating income taxes (including federal and payroll income tax for Californians), substantially cutting state sales and wealthy taxes, and implementing strict caps on state spending to reduce government size and debt. Proposes limiting federal excise taxes, increasing IRS transparency at the state level, and nullifying or halving state measures he views as unconstitutional.
Healthcare
Supports market-based health reforms: allowing Californians to purchase health insurance across state lines, encouraging Health Savings Accounts, expanding incentives for private practitioners to serve low-income or homeless patients, and reducing regulatory barriers for providers. Emphasizes competition and provider freedom rather than expanded public coverage.
Show moreShow less
Immigration & Border
The candidate supports strict immigration enforcement including ending sanctuary policies in California, cooperating with ICE to remove and deport criminal noncitizens, suspending processing of refugees and asylum seekers into the state, and imposing severe criminal penalties for illegal reentry and for serious crimes by noncitizens. His campaign platform calls for moratoria on refugee/asylum processing and criminal prosecution of local officials who provide sanctuary. These positions prioritize enforcement, deportation, and punitive measures over expanded legal pathways or asylum protections.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate supports strong restrictions on abortion, including closing Planned Parenthood in California, enacting a fetal heartbeat law, and nullifying policies he describes as permissive. He proposes strict medical requirements for abortions (requiring agreement of three obstetricians) and prioritizing funding for organizations that oppose abortion.
Climate & Energy
The candidate opposes rapid deployment of renewable ‘Green New’ policies and prioritizes reopening closed power plants and expanding gas-fired electricity generation while delaying large-scale renewable rollouts until technologies are further vetted. The candidate also emphasizes aggressive forest thinning, increased inmate firefighter programs, and incentives for water conservation measures tied to traditional infrastructure.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate opposes enforcement of red-flag laws, supports expanding Stand Your Ground and loosening Castle Doctrine protections for self-defense, and seeks to strengthen penalties for criminals who use firearms. The campaign frames these policies as defending law-abiding gun owners and rolling back gun-restriction enforcement in California.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 11, 2026
Daniel Mercuri is one of the many certified candidates in California’s crowded 2026 governor’s race, which is drawing attention because Democrats are worried their split field could let Republicans advance. Recent coverage says the race is still unsettled, with debate eligibility and internal party disputes overshadowing voter concerns about the cost of living. The latest reports suggest the primary is becoming a test of which candidates can stay viable in a very crowded field.
danielforcalgovernor.com+42
Articles
TNThe New York Times3 months ago
Infighting Begins Among Democratic Candidates for California Governor
Neutral
TAThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution2 months ago
A messy California governor's race raises Democratic fears of potential loss
Neutral
VCVentura County Star3 months ago
California governor race gears up with March debate. How to watch
Neutral
NNewsmax2 months ago
Democrats Face Turmoil in California Governor Race
Neutral
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising