2018 VOTER GUIDE: A look at California's gubernatorial candidates

SAN FRANCISCO -- In the November election, California voters will decide between Republican John Cox and Democrat Gavin Newsom for governor. Here's a look at the candidates.

HOW THEY LANDED ON MY BALLOT?

Newsom and Cox finished as the top two vote getters in June's open primary election.

Newsom collected 2,343792 votes (33.7 percent) while Cox tallied 1,766,488 (25.4 percent). The next highest finisher was former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) at 13.3 percent followed by Travis Allen (R) with 9.5 percent.

As for party breakdown in June: Democrats (5 of the top 7 finishers) won 61 percent of all votes while Republicans (2 of the top 7) took 35.9 percent of the total.

California's open primary law places June's top two vote getters on the November ballot regardless of their party affiliation.

JOHN COX

John Cox describes himself as a self-made millionaire who grew a business from scratch to employ nearly 100 people. Cox has long been active as a volunteer helping rebuild homes for low-income seniors and people with disabilities in the San Diego area.

A former Democrat, Cox is trying to become the first Republican to win the governor's office since Arnold Schwarzenegger was re-elected in 2006.

Go here to learn more about this California gubernatorial candidate.

GAVIN NEWSOM

Gavin Newsom currently serves as California's lieutenant governor after being San Francisco's mayor for seven years. He did not serve the last year of his second term after being elected lieutenant governor in 2010.

Newsom made worldwide headlines in 2004 - 36 days into his first term as mayor - when he authorized the city and county of San Francisco to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Go here to learn more about this California gubernatorial candidate.

Take a look at full coverage on the 2018 election here.