The San Diego County primary returned a broad mix of expected leads and competitive showings, with 462,155 ballots counted locally and partial statewide reporting at 73.4% of precincts. Because California uses a top-two primary system, the two candidates with the highest vote totals in each contest will move on to the November general election regardless of party.

Below is a structured summary of the standout results and local contests that will likely matter most in the months ahead. The brief also highlights races where party control or political direction could shift based on the final tallies.

Statewide contests: governor and other executive offices

In the gubernatorial field, Republican Steve Hilton holds an early lead with 27.7% of the vote, followed by Democrat xavier becerra at 25.5% and Democrat Tom Steyer at 19.6%. These percentages indicate a competitive top-two outcome that will set the stage for fall campaigning across California.

Other statewide incumbents and frontrunners show varying margins. Incumbent Rob Bonta for Attorney General and Shirley Weber for Secretary of State appear positioned to advance with tallies above 50%. For Lieutenant Governor, the early leaders are Gloria Romero at 19.9%, Fiona Ma at 19.1%, and Josh Fryday at 13.9%. The Insurance Commissioner race is led by Jane Kim (23.8%), Ben Allen (19.6%), and Stacy Korsgaden (17.6%). For Superintendent of Public Instruction, Sonja Shaw tops the field with 24.9%, followed by Richard Barrera at 19.3% and Wendy Leal at 9.9%.

Key congressional and legislative battles

The 48th Congressional District race in San Diego County is showing a clear leader: Republican Jim Desmond with 41.8%, trailed by Democrat Marni von Wilpert at 19.5% and Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar with 9.6%. This early spread suggests a straightforward path to November for the top two finishers unless late ballots change the dynamics.

State Senate and Assembly snapshots

In the competitive State Senate District 40, Democrat Mara Elliott leads with 44.1% while Republican Kristie Bruce-Lane has 30.0%. Open and competitive assembly districts across the region are similarly signaling potential party shifts, as Democrats target several GOP-held seats and Republicans try to distance themselves from national figures while holding their base.

San Diego County and city-level contests

The County Supervisor race in District 5 shows Republican Rebecca Jones ahead with 40.8%, with Democrat Kyle Krahel at 19.85% and Republican John Franklin at 19.5%. On the San Diego City Council, District 2 has Richard Bailey leading at 38.8%, Nicole Crosby at 31.3%, and Josh Coyne at 11.3%. District 4 is razor-close: challenger Martha Abraham leads incumbent Henry Foster III by fewer than 300 votes, 40.2% to 38.6%. Incumbent Kent Lee appears to be holding District 6 with 55% versus challenger Mark Powell at 44.6%. In District 8, Antonio Martinez leads with 29%, followed by Gerardo Ramirez at 23.7% and Venus Molina at 21.3%.

Local ballot measures

Measure A, the proposed tax on second homes, is trailing in these returns, losing by a margin of 57.8% to 42.2%. The result signals voter resistance to new local property levies in this primary cycle.

Chula Vista: mayoral and council outcomes

Chula vista’s primary showed incumbent Mayor John McCann heading toward re-election with 60.3% of reported votes. In City Council District 1, incumbent Carolina Chavez leads with 41.9%, ahead of Greg Martinez at 25.3%. District 2 has Jose Preciado leading at 45.5%, with Angelica Martinez at 28%. These early margins will determine which candidates continue campaigning for the November run-off under the top-two primary rules.

Chula Vista remains focused on issues common to fast-growing coastal cities, including housing affordability and managing population growth—topics that shaped both the mayoral and council contests in this election cycle.

Updated 4:15 a.m. June 3, 2026. Final results will depend on remaining ballots and provisional counts; these early returns provide a roadmap for candidates and parties as they prepare for the November general election.