Bitcoin-supporting Democrat Ian Calderon announces run for California governor

Former California state assemblyman and Bitcoin (cryptocurrency) supporter Ian Calderon has officially announced his run in the 2026 gubernatorial election. He has pledged to stabilize housing, everyday goods, and gasoline prices while placing Bitcoin at the center of his policy agenda.

According to Cointelegraph, Calderon said on the 23rd (local time) on his X account, "My generation pays with phones, sends money with Venmo(Venmo), and saves with Bitcoin," and "but the government is trying to solve today's problems with old methods." He added, "California has always led technological innovation. Now it's time to return to our roots and become the global center of Bitcoin."

He previously led the California Blockchain Working Group and drew up a state-level blockchain roadmap. Recently he revealed plans to include Bitcoin in the state's finances, saying "California should hold Bitcoin." He also announced plans to introduce Bitcoin as a payment method for state government programs.

California boasts the largest economy in the United States, and while the state legislature recently pushed a bill to allow public institutions to accept cryptocurrency payments, discussions on introducing a Bitcoin reserve have progressed slowly. Calderon says he would actively pursue this if elected governor.

However, his challenge is expected to be difficult. With incumbent Governor Gavin Newsom not running due to term limits, Democratic former U.S. Representative Katie Porter is regarded as the leading candidate, and Republican candidates mentioned include Chad Bianco, Riverside County sheriff, and Steve Hilton, former White House adviser and Fox News columnist.

Calderon was elected the youngest state assemblyman in 2012 at age 27 and served until 2020. After retiring from politics, he continued Bitcoin-related activities, collaborating with the Satoshi Action Fund and in 2022 introducing a bill to recognize Bitcoin as legal tender.