The 2010 California gubernatorial election was held November 2, 2010 to elect the Governor of California. The primary elections were held on June 8, 2010. Because constitutional office holders in California are prohibited from serving more than two consecutive terms on the same office for life since 1990, incumbent Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger was ineligible to run for re-election for a third term. Former Governor Jerry Brown, the winning candidate, took office on January 3, 2011 after defeating Meg Whitman.