Last update: June 5, 2026. Steve HiltonXavier Becerraand Tom Steyer led the California governor primary as vote counting continued statewide, with fewer than two-thirds of expected ballots tallied. The contest unfolded across California as the three candidates competed for the top two spots to advance to the November general election under the state’s nonpartisan top-two system.
The outcome matters because the governor’s race has drawn record spending and could reshape the state’s policy direction, while several congressional primaries may influence control of the U.S. House. The vote count remained in flux, reflecting California’s large volume of mail ballots and staggered processing, which often produces late shifts in margins.
Three-way governor fight: Hilton leads as Becerra and Steyer press
With less than 60% of the expected vote reported, Hiltona Republican and former Fox News host, held about 28%. Becerraa Democrat and former Health and Human Services Secretary, trailed at roughly 25%, and Democratic billionaire Steyer stood near 20%. Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco was the only other candidate in double digits at about 11%, while the rest of the 61-candidate field lagged in single figures.
Hilton told supporters it was “looking good” and said Californians might have the chance to “vote for change” in November. Becerra framed his bid as an “underdog story” and pledged a government that “runs not on promises, but on time and under budget” and that “holds itself accountable when it doesn’t.” Steyer urged patience, saying he would wait for every ballot to be counted and called for a system based on “fairness” where “the most-privileged pay their fair share not by charity but by law.”
Record spending and campaign positioning
The gubernatorial primary set a modern record for spending, with an estimated $327.6 million in ads and reservations, driven largely by Steyerwho was responsible for approximately 63% of that total. The scale of investment underscored the high stakes of the contest and raised questions about whether heavy self-funding can translate into ballot strength under California’s broad electorate and late-count dynamics.
Hilton presented a platform centered on change and a stronger working relationship with the president, arguing that “a majority of Californians think the state is going in the wrong direction.” Becerra emphasized expanding opportunity and administrative competence, saying he aimed to give all Californians a fair shot at the American dream. Steyer highlighted healthcare and tax fairness while appealing to progressive voters who prioritize structural reforms.
Key House races test party alignments
Beyond the governor’s race, several House primaries remained unsettled. In the Bakersfield-based 22nd Districtschool board member Randy Villegas held a slight lead over Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains as Democrats vied for the chance to face Republican incumbent David Valadao in November. Less than half of the expected vote had been counted, keeping the order fluid and the general election matchup uncertain.
In Northern California’s 6th DistrictRep. Kevin Kileywho switched to independent this cycle, was locked in a competitive three-way tally with Democrat Richard Pan and Republican Michael Stansfield. The lead traded back and forth between Pan and Stansfield as ballots were processed, highlighting the district’s volatile coalition and the impact of late-arriving mail votes on close races.
San Diego County and Los Angeles races shape the broader map
In San Diego County, Republican Jim Desmondbacked by retiring Rep. Darrell Issaand Democrat Marni von Wilperta San Diego City Councilmember, were positioned for a November face-off. The contest carried outsized importance as both parties assessed suburban trends and looked to shape the House battlefield through turnout patterns and down-ballot effects from the governor’s race.
In the Los Angeles mayoral primary, incumbent Karen Bass led with about 35% with roughly 63% of the expected vote tallied, followed by Republican Spencer Pratt at approximately 30% and Democrat Nithya Raman near 22%. Bass told supporters “it’s looking good” for advancing to a November runoff. Pratt previewed a potential matchup with Bass and said he was excited to reach more voters, while Raman cautioned that the race might not be decided for days given the volume of ballots still being verified.
Signals from voters: frustration and demand for change
The primaries reflected frustration with the Democratic status quo on issues such as homelessness, crime, and cost of living, fueling openings for conservative outsiders like Hilton and Pratt. At the same time, Democrats like Becerra and Raman emphasized governance and delivery, seeking to reassure voters focused on execution and accountability. The split signals a complex electorate open to cross-pressured choices across the ticket.
California’s counting process, which accepts and verifies tens of millions of mail-in ballotsoften shows Republicans leading earlier while Democrats gain as later ballots are processed. Campaigns warned supporters not to over-interpret early returns and urged patience. Hilton called receiving more than a million votes the “honor of a lifetime,” while Steyer and Becerra both asked backers to stay engaged until the final canvass is complete.
Outside California: a competitive test in Montana’s 1st District
Democrats eyed an opening in Montana’s 1st District after Rep. Ryan Zinke retired, with Sam Forstag and Ryan Busse separated by about four points with roughly 95% of the expected primary vote tallied. The close margin illustrated how retirements can scramble expectations even in red-leaning terrain and how candidate profiles may matter as much as national mood in split-ticket environments.
As California counties continued to process ballots, officials noted that updates would arrive in batches over several days. The governor’s race, the LA mayoral contest, and swing-district House primaries remained too close to call, with the top-two rule set to determine November fields only after the final certified count.
