California High-Speed Rail: Where Candidates for Governor Stand

Newsweek

25-05-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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California's 2026 gubernatorial election is approaching, and with Gavin Newsom term-limited, many other candidates have already entered the race.
However, the winning politician will inherit the largest high-speed rail project in the country and will be faced with serious decisions about how to manage it under their administration.
Newsweek has compiled the positions of the top candidates on the California high-speed rail project.
Why It Matters
The rail project has been overseen by three successive governors. Originally approved by voters in a 2008 ballot initiative under Arnold Schwarzenegger, the track aims to connect California's two biggest cities, Los Angeles and San Francisco, via the Central Valley, linking with several other smaller areas that have historically not benefited from transport infrastructure. Governors Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom have also overseen the project.
The Candidates
A map of the California High-Speed Rail project, including connections to Brightline West.
A map of the California High-Speed Rail project, including connections to Brightline West.
California High-Speed Rail Authority
Toni Atkins
Toni Atkins was the speaker of the California State Assembly from 2014 to 2016 and the majority leader before that.
Atkins told Newsweek that she supported the project and would continue with it if elected, saying: "I've stood firm behind high-speed rail year after year because it means good jobs for hardworking families, growth for small businesses, and connection for regions too often left out of the conversation about California's future.
"As Governor, I'll keep this project moving—so we build and spread opportunity and progress to every part of our state."
In 2021, when some state lawmakers questioned Newsom's $4.2 billion injection for the project, Atkins said she wanted more money for local transit projects in her region and that most Senate Democrats supported moving ahead with funding high-speed rail.
Xavier Becerra
As California attorney general, Becerra took the Trump administration to court over the president's attempts to remove $1 billion of funding for the project in 2019.
Earlier this year, Becerra told Sacramento news station KCRA that health care and rail were costing taxpayers far more than leaders expected, and that changes might have to be made to the project.
"We're not going backwards on health care," Becerra said. "And that includes people who work very hard, pay taxes, are living the right way, and are your good neighbors."
"But, here's the scrub: we have an obligation to balance our budget. In the state of California. If we can't balance the budget with the resources and revenues we've got, then we've got to make cuts. Where do we make the cuts? That's where the question comes about how we treat that particular program. But I'm not looking to have anyone lose access to health care."
Eleni Kounalakis
As California's lieutenant governor, Kounalakis works closely with Gavin Newsom and nominally supports his administration's approach to the high-speed rail project.
In response to Newsom's revision to the state budget this week, Kounalakis said in a statement: "As we make tough choices, we must stay focused on protecting the progress Californians count on."
Newsweek reached out to Kounalakis' campaign via email for more information on her stance.
Katie Porter
Porter, who represented California in the House of Representatives from 2019 to 2025, is one of the only major Democrats to explicitly oppose the high-speed rail project.
She said in an interview on KTLA's Inside California Politics earlier this month that the project exceeded both deadlines and budget.
"Increasingly, the evidence is showing that this project is not going to be able to be completed remotely on budget or remotely on time. I think we're already past those benchmarks," Porter said.
"That's why I don't think we should BS California voters. They have noticed that we don't have a high-speed rail. And they have noticed we've spent money on it."
"If this high-speed rail project can get done, then let's get it done. If it can't get done, then stop."
Antonio Villaraigosa
The former California State Assembly speaker and Los Angeles mayor told Newsweek that he would assess the project and stop lawmakers from "playing politics" with the issue.
Vellaraigosa had previously been made an infrastructure advisor for the state in 2022.
"I don't think candidates should play politics with high-speed rail. We need to safeguard local jobs, protect taxpayers, and avoid haphazard decisions that could trigger requirements forcing the state to repay billions in federal funding that we can't afford," Vellaraigosa said.
"As governor, I'll make sure this project is transparent, meets deadlines, and sticks to a budget."
Chad Bianco
As the first major Republican to enter the gubernatorial race, Bianco is one of the rail project's most vocal opposers.
The Riverside County sheriff has frequently voiced his issues with the project, posting on social media in March: "Once again, our leaders are failing us. The train to nowhere is a total waste of taxpayer funds. Let's end this madness once and for all."
He has also said that "Californians deserve so much better" and that the project's budget management is "unbelievable."