Tight Race in California Gubernatorial Primary as Ballots Continue to Be Counted
Select a version of the text written from a presumed ideological perspective. This is not the original text, but a hypothetical version — how someone with that viewpoint might have phrased it. Tapping the current version again will return to the original or select cleaned version.
Early results from California's gubernatorial primary indicate a close contest among candidates Steve Hilton, Xavier Becerra, and Tom Steyer, with many ballots still left to be counted.
The gubernatorial primary in California remains uncertain as early results show Steve Hilton, a Republican, contending closely with Democrats Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer. With numerous ballots outstanding, two Democratic candidates, Matt Mahan and Antonio Villaraigosa, conceded shortly after polls closed, while Becerra and Hilton expressed hope for advancing to the general election. Steyer also asserted his campaign's viability, stating, "We’re going to wait until every ballot is counted. We’re going to give democracy time to work."
The primary process has been particularly chaotic, with 61 candidates on the ballot, including two who had withdrawn and one who changed his name to Barack Obama in a bid for attention. This unpredictable race has been compounded by California's jungle primary system, where the top two candidates advance regardless of party affiliation. Concerns about vote fragmentation among Democrats have emerged, especially in light of declining support for traditional Democratic leadership amid public discontent over issues like housing affordability and homelessness.
As the results continue to unfold, longstanding political figures in California have largely refrained from entering the race, leaving the field open for lesser-known candidates. Additionally, the abrupt exit of Eric Swalwell from the race due to allegations of misconduct shifted the dynamics, allowing Becerra to gain traction as a candidate capable of effective governance at a time of uncertainty.
In Los Angeles, incumbent mayor Karen Bass has advanced to the general election, but faces challenges from newcomer Spencer Pratt and former ally Nithya Raman. Bass's popularity has waned following perceived missteps in her administration, including her response to wildfires in early 2025. As the counting of ballots continues, voters are eyeing the potential for significant changes in both state and local governance.