California governor, LA mayor primaries show no clear frontrunners
9 reported
California’s primary election Tuesday features two major races with no clear leaders, as outsider candidates challenge the state’s Democratic establishment. In the governor’s race, former Fox News host Steve Hilton is urging Republicans to unite behind him to secure one of two November ballot spots, competing against Democrats Tom Steyer and Xavier Becerra. In Los Angeles, reality TV personality Spencer Pratt is challenging Democratic Mayor Karen Bass, with progressive council member Nithya Raman also in contention. Hilton warns that an all-Democratic ticket could dampen GOP turnout statewide. Mail voting began in early May, but only 15% of ballots had been returned as of Sunday, leaving room for a late shake-up. A UC Berkeley poll of 1,351 likely voters found Bass, Raman, and Pratt tightly clustered with no statistically significant edge. The governor’s race includes more than 50 candidates, as Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is term-limited.
What’s reported
Primary election is Tuesday, June 3, 2026.
Governor’s race: Steve Hilton (Republican, former Fox News host), Tom Steyer (Democrat, billionaire climate activist), Xavier Becerra (Democrat, former state attorney general).
LA mayor’s race: Karen Bass (Democrat, incumbent), Spencer Pratt (Republican, reality TV personality), Nithya Raman (Democrat, city council member).
Hilton is urging Republican rival Chad Bianco to drop out to avoid an all-Democratic November ticket.
Only 15% of mail ballots had been returned as of Sunday.
A UC Berkeley poll of 1,351 likely voters (May 19-24) found no statistically significant edge among top LA candidates.
Bass’s first term has been shaky; she points to a drop in homelessness but faces fallout from the 2025 Palisades Fire.
Pratt lost his home in the Palisades Fire and has made recovery a campaign focus.
The governor’s race has more than 50 candidates on the ballot.
Key figures
Steve Hilton: Republican candidate for governor, former Fox News host.
Tom Steyer: Democratic candidate for governor, billionaire climate activist.
Xavier Becerra: Democratic candidate for governor, former state attorney general.
Spencer Pratt: Republican candidate for LA mayor, reality TV personality.
Karen Bass: Democratic incumbent LA mayor.
Nithya Raman: Progressive LA city council member, mayoral candidate.
Chad Bianco: Riverside County sheriff, Republican gubernatorial candidate.
Gavin Newsom: Current Democratic governor, term-limited.
Katie Porter: Former Democratic U.S. representative, gubernatorial candidate.
Matt Mahan: Democratic mayor of San Jose, gubernatorial candidate.
Vivian Escalante: Historian and Boyle Heights resident, quoted supporting Pratt.
Rebecca Katz: Strategist for Steyer’s campaign.
Sources: abcnews.com
