California’s gubernatorial race gains Bitcoin proponent
Former California Assemblymember Ian Calderon has officially entered the 2026 governor’s race, positioning himself as a Bitcoin advocate in what’s shaping up to be a crowded field. Calderon announced his campaign on Tuesday through social media, emphasizing his focus on affordable living costs while making cryptocurrency a central part of his platform.
“My generation pays bills on our phones, we send money to each other with Venmo and we save in Bitcoin — but the people running our government, they’re trying to use yesterday’s ideas to solve today’s problems, and it isn’t working,” Calderon stated in his announcement. He’s framing his campaign around generational change, suggesting that current leadership isn’t equipped to handle modern financial technologies.
Calderon’s political background gives him some credibility on blockchain matters. He served in California’s legislature from 2012 to 2020, becoming the youngest member when he entered at age 27. During his tenure, he led California’s Blockchain Working Group and helped develop the state’s initial blockchain roadmap. That experience might help him stand out in a field where cryptocurrency policy is becoming increasingly relevant.
Bitcoin reserve proposal
What really sets Calderon apart is his specific proposal regarding Bitcoin reserves. During a recent livestream, he stated that “California should be holding Bitcoin on its balance sheet” and promised to make this happen if elected. “Once I’m governor, I’m going to make sure that we hold Bitcoin on our balance sheet,” he added.
This isn’t just campaign rhetoric for Calderon. Back in 2022, while out of politics, he worked with Satoshi Action Fund CEO Dennis Porter on legislation that would explore making Bitcoin legal tender in California. That proposal didn’t gain much traction at the time, but the political landscape has shifted since then. Crypto lobbying has become more influential, with significant spending during the 2024 elections supporting candidates who favor cryptocurrency-friendly policies.
California’s current legislative environment shows some movement toward cryptocurrency acceptance. State lawmakers recently advanced a bill that would allow agencies to accept crypto payments, though it hasn’t progressed to the level of creating a Bitcoin reserve like some other states have considered.
Competitive political landscape
The 2026 California governor’s race is shaping up to be highly competitive. Current polling shows former Democratic Congresswoman Katie Porter as the frontrunner, followed by Republican Sheriff Chad Bianco and former FOX News contributor Steve Hilton. Calderon faces an uphill battle against these more established political figures.
The field opened up significantly when former Vice President Kamala Harris confirmed she wouldn’t be running. This creates an opportunity for lesser-known candidates like Calderon to gain traction, though he’s still considered a long shot given the name recognition of his competitors.
California’s significance can’t be overstated — it’s the most populous U.S. state with a $4.3 trillion economy. How it approaches cryptocurrency policy could influence other states and potentially federal policy. Calderon’s campaign represents a test case for whether cryptocurrency advocacy can become a winning political issue in major elections.
His approach seems to be targeting younger voters who are more comfortable with digital financial technologies. By emphasizing Bitcoin alongside more traditional issues like affordable housing and gas prices, he’s trying to bridge generational divides while appealing to tech-savvy constituents. Whether this strategy will resonate with California’s diverse electorate remains to be seen, but it certainly makes the 2026 race more interesting to watch.
