As the final votes are counted, a decisive shift has swept through California and the nation. Headlining these historic results is the election of Xavier Becerra as California’s next Governor. CAFP took the unprecedented step of endorsing Becerra, marking the Academy’s first-ever gubernatorial endorsement. CAFP’s historic endorsement was driven by the Governor-elect’s uniquely deep commitment and understanding of healthcare policy and the importance of primary care as the foundation of the healthcare system. CAFP looks forward to partnering with Governor-elect Becerra to build a healthier California for all.
California voters also overwhelmingly rejected Proposition 44, safeguarding vital healthcare safety-net access for underserved communities. In addition to a gubernatorial endorsement, CAFP took an opposition stance on Proposition 44. The proposal would have imposed rigid financial requirements on community health centers across the state, risking facility closures and threatening patient care.
While many of the races throughout California for state office remain uncertified, preliminary vote counts have shown that several incumbent state legislators are at risk of losing their seats. You can view all California election results and live updates here.
On the federal landscape, Democrats picked up at least 22 Republican-held seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and flipped seven Republican-held seats in the U.S. Senate, securing majorities in both chambers (as of November 4, 2026 at 1:25 pm PST). In California, Democrats made significant gains in congressional races, flipping all five Republican-held seats targeted under the state's congressional redistricting plan. With California leaders poised to assume influential committee leadership positions, federal healthcare policies and oversight will see renewed direction in the coming legislative term.
