Emerson College
5%4%3%2%1%0%
California Governor winner? (Person)
$49.3M
NOV 4, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Overview
Current roleHigher-education administrator
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyMainstream Democrat
LocationCalifornia
BackgroundHigher-education administrator
Show moreShow less
EducationStevenson School (Pebble Beach, California) — Class of 2002
Notable personal detailsMichael L. Younger is a California workforce and higher-education executive who has worked in both state government and the private sector. He serves as Vice President of Workforce, Strategy, and Innovation at Calbright College and previously served as Deputy Secretary at the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency in the Newsom administration. Earlier in his career he worked in business strategy roles at AT&T Mobility & Entertainment and in enterprise strategy at CalPERS. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy and Management from the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy.
SourcesShowHide
calbright.edustevensonschool.orgmichaellyounger.comen.wikipedia.orgsenate.ca.govpolymarket.comlatimes.comcrimevoice.compolycopy.appcalmatters.digitaldemocracy.orgapnews.comcbsnews.comcalmatters.orgwashingtonpost.comtransparencyusa.orgcaliforniasecuritypro.combgcmc.orgvig.cdn.sos.ca.govthegreenpapers.comcat-tuatara-kl4x.squarespace.comveripages.comsignalhire.comtemplehealth.orghealthy.kaiserpermanente.orgdoctors.adventisthealth.orgopenpayrolls.comeverydayhealth.carecongress.govfurm.comsimplecontacts.cominstagram.comdesertsun.comhellomagazine.comballotpedia.orgpro.stateaffairs.comindependent.comsfbg.comporac.orgfacebook.comhistory.house.govfec.govnga.orgballotready.orgjudiciary.senate.govgovinfo.govwikidata.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgfrontpage.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Healthcare
Supports expanding access to affordable, quality healthcare for medically underserved Californians, including strengthening Medi‑Cal access and investing in mental health and community health services. Emphasizes enhancing support services for low‑income residents and children to improve health and wellbeing.
Climate & Energy
Supports sustainability across energy, transportation, and agriculture and prioritizes investments to enhance California’s climate resilience and environmental justice, with attention to impacts on low-income communities. Advocates policies that protect the environment while promoting economic growth and targeted climate investments to increase resilience.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMar 14, 2026
Michael Younger is in the news as one of the Democratic candidates in California’s crowded 2026 governor’s race, where party leaders are warning that too many Democrats could split the vote under the state’s top-two primary system. California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks publicly urged lower-polling Democrats to reassess their candidacies ahead of the filing deadline, but that push largely failed to narrow the field. The continued crowding is fueling concern that two Republicans could advance to the general election.
calbright.edu+50
Articles
UNU.S. News & World Report5 months ago
Top California Democrat Flops With Call for Candidates to Exit Governor's Race
Neutral
WWTOP5 months ago
Fearing GOP upset, top California Democrat urges lagging candidates for governor to drop out of race
Neutral
WWTOP5 months ago
Top California Democrat flops with call for candidates to exit governor’s race
Neutral
UTUSA TODAY5 months ago
Can't win in primary election? Drop out, California Democrats say
Neutral
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising