Public Policy Institute of California
5%4%3%2%1%0%
California Governor winner?
$46.3M
NOV 4, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Overview
Current roleAuthor
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
GenderMale
LocationCalifornia
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BackgroundAuthor
Notable personal detailsDaniel R. Mercuri is a California political candidate and U.S. Navy veteran who has run for office multiple times, including as a candidate in California's 25th congressional district (2020) and as a gubernatorial candidate (2021 recall and 2022 primary). He is listed by the California Secretary of State for the June 2, 2026 primary election for Governor with the ballot designation “Father/Author/Businessman” and No Party Preference. He is based in Simi Valley, California and is associated with the campaign website Danielforcalgovernor.com.
SourcesShowHide
danielforcalgovernor.comelections.cdn.sos.ca.govvigarchive.sos.ca.goven.wikipedia.orgjoincalifornia.comvoterguide.sos.ca.govcalmatters.orgkqed.orgcbsnews.comva01republicans.orgelectionhistory.tuolumnecounty.ca.goveverything.explained.todayopencampaign.compolitics1.comvig.cdn.sos.ca.govslocounty.ca.govlavote.govhometownstation.comfoxla.comthenewfounders.usmountaintopmedia.podbean.comkion546.comltg.ca.govreformcalifornia.orgirli.orglatimes.comsfgate.comgov.ca.govcongress.govdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgcba.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgdonate.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgballotready.orgfec.govnga.orgcommdocs.house.govjudiciary.senate.govgovinfo.govdurbin.senate.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.
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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 updatedMar 14, 2026
Daniel Mercuri is among the Democratic candidates still in California’s 2026 governor’s race as party leaders push to narrow the field. State Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks has urged lower-polling candidates to reassess their viability ahead of the filing deadline, warning that a crowded field under the top-two primary system could allow two Republicans to advance. Reports say the consolidation effort has not succeeded so far, keeping concerns high about a split Democratic vote.
danielforcalgovernor.com+41
Articles
UNU.S. News & World Report3 months ago
Top California Democrat Flops With Call for Candidates to Exit Governor's Race
Neutral
UNU.S. News & World Report3 months ago
Fearing GOP Upset, Top California Democrat Urges Lagging Candidates for Governor to Drop Out of Race
Negative
UTUSA TODAY3 months ago
Can't win in primary election? Drop out, California Democrats say
Neutral
NYNew York Post4 months ago
Kevin McCarthy blasts Gavin Newsom, says California is on a 'downward slope' from gov's leadership
Neutral
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising