Ian Calderon Launches 2026 California Governor Bid With Bold Bitcoin Agenda

Former California Assembly member Ian Calderon has officially entered the 2026 governor’s race, promising to make technology, and Bitcoin in particular, a centerpiece of his campaign. 

Calderon, 39, confirmed his run on Tuesday in a post on X, pledging to tackle everyday costs like housing, groceries, and gas while positioning himself as a champion of digital currency.

A Push for a State Bitcoin Reserve

Calderon, who served in the California Assembly from 2012 to 2020, highlighted Bitcoin as a key part of his economic plan. During a livestream on X, he said California should add Bitcoin to its balance sheet and even use it to fund state programs. “Once I’m governor, I’m going to make sure that we hold Bitcoin on our balance sheet,” he pledged.

This isn’t Calderon’s first foray into crypto policy. While in office, he led California’s Blockchain Working Group and helped craft the state’s blockchain roadmap. More recently, in 2022, he collaborated with Satoshi Action Fund CEO Dennis Porter on a bill exploring Bitcoin as legal tender—though the proposal has since stalled.

California lawmakers have taken incremental steps toward crypto adoption, including advancing a bill that would let state agencies accept cryptocurrency payments. But the idea of a full-fledged Bitcoin reserve has not gained significant traction compared to moves in other states.

Facing a Crowded Field

California’s gubernatorial election will be held on November 3, 2026, and Calderon faces tough odds. The race to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom—who is term-limited—is already crowded with high-profile candidates. 

Early polling shows former Democratic Congresswoman Katie Porter leading the field, followed by Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican, and former FOX News contributor Steve Hilton.

The political climate, however, may favor candidates with strong crypto credentials. After the 2024 elections, where the crypto lobby emerged as a major donor and helped boost several pro-digital-asset candidates including Donald Trump, pledges to support cryptocurrency have become a growing campaign trend.

Calderon now serves as co-creation officer at electric vehicle maker Faraday Future, which recently announced plans for a crypto treasury and tokenized vehicle sales. Whether his Bitcoin-centric platform can stand out in a competitive race remains to be seen, but his bid underscores how digital assets are becoming a defining issue in California politics.