2026 California Secretary of State Candidates Evaluation
My Vote: Don Wagner (Reluctantly)
If you are a constitutionalist voter who prioritizes strong Second‑Amendment views, this secretary‑of‑state race offers no compelling choice; all major contenders either actively support or passively accept California’s high‑regulation gun‑law model.
Don Wagner – Soft‑control Republican, not Second‑Amendment‑focused
Don Wagner (Republican, Orange County Supervisor and 2026 Secretary of State candidate) has no prominent record as a strong Second‑Amendment champion.
- He generally accepts California’s restrictive gun‑law regime (universal background checks, safety‑certificate hurdles, and GVRO‑style tools) and has not campaigned on rolling back those rules.
- His messaging is heavier on election integrity, immigration, and fiscal‑conservatism than on gun rights, so he leans closer to a moderate‑restriction, pro‑stringent‑regulation stance than to a constitutional‑rights‑first view.
For constitutionalist‑leaning gun‑rights voters, Wagner is not a solid fit; he is effectively a gun‑control‑accepting Republican in this race.
Shirley Weber – Progressive gun‑control supporter
Shirley Weber (Democrat, incumbent Secretary of State) is clearly in the gun‑control, gun‑regulation‑expansion camp, not in the Second‑Amendment‑protectionist lane.
- As a long‑time Democratic Assemblymember, she helped shape California’s expansive regulatory framework, including universal vote‑by‑mail and broad participation policies, and has not signaled a desire to ease gun‑laws in the name of the Second Amendment.
- In statewide leadership she has emphasized public‑safety and gun‑violence‑prevention narratives, which align with further tightening of storage, carry, and “unsafe”‑weapon rules rather than striking them down as unconstitutional.
Constitutionalists who prioritize individual gun‑rights over state‑driven risk‑reduction will find Weber significantly out of step with that view.
Green Party candidates (Gary Blenner / Michael Feinstein) – Reform‑First, not rights‑First
The Green‑Party challengers for Secretary of State, Gary Blenner and Michael Feinstein, are not Second‑Amendment‑rights‑focused figures.
- Their public platforms stress democratic‑reform, campaign‑finance limits, and environmental‑justice, with little to no emphasis on gun‑owners’ rights or constitutional‑carry‑style policies.
- Feinstein’s history as a progressive mayor and activist places him firmly in the urban‑progressive, gun‑control‑supporting camp, more aligned with expanding regulation than defending broad gun‑ownership rights.
For constitutionalist‑leaning gun‑rights voters, Blenner and Feinstein are clearly outside the Second‑Amendment‑protectionist lane; they treat firearms policy as a public‑safety‑and‑equity issue, not a core constitutional‑right issue.
California’s Secretary of State primary features four candidates ahead of the June 2, 2026, top-two election.
From a constitutionalist viewpoint, the ideal candidate prioritizes strict rule-of-law in elections, verifiable processes, decentralized authority, and neutrality over expansionist policies.
Shirley Weber (Democrat, Incumbent)
Weber implemented permanent universal mail-in voting and has defended expansive access measures, including suing local governments over voting laws. She pledges further voting access expansion, transparency in filings, and cybersecurity.
Constitutionalist critique: Her administrative expansions risk prioritizing convenience over auditable verification, potentially eroding public trust without legislative backing—contrary to limited-government principles.
Don Wagner (Republican)
Orange County Supervisor Wagner campaigns on election integrity, advocating voter ID at polls and faster ballot counting to address California’s slow certification process. He has pushed voter data releases amid irregularity claims.
Constitutionalist strengths: Emphasizes verifiable, timely processes and accountability, aligning with demands for transparent, law-bound administration.
Gary Blenner (Green)
Sacramento teacher Blenner, endorsed by Green and Peace & Freedom parties, focuses on proportional representation reforms.
Constitutionalist concerns: Using the office for systemic overhaul like ranked-choice voting exceeds administrative bounds, favoring radical restructuring over neutral execution of existing law.
Michael Feinstein (Green)
Former Santa Monica councilor Feinstein seeks proportional ranked-choice voting and top-two primary changes.
Constitutionalist critique: Like Blenner, he treats the role as a reform platform rather than faithful stewardship, risking overreach beyond constitutional limits on executive discretion.
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