California’s Primary Election: Key Highlights and Outcomes

Xavier Becerra Advances in Governor Race

Veteran Democrat Xavier Becerra won a top spot in California’s primary election for governor, according to the Associated Press. This win positions him to possibly become California’s first elected Latino governor in November 2026. Becerra, a former Health and Human Services Secretary, expressed his determination to continue the fight leading into the general election.

“The people of the great state of California, in the greatest nation on earth, have spoken loudly and proudly,” Becerra said. “We are never backing down. November, here we come.”

Nithya Raman Narrows Gap in Mayoral Race

Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman gained ground against Spencer Pratt in the mayoral primary. According to recent updates, Raman reduced Pratt’s lead to about 3 percentage points. Raman and Pratt are contending for second place to face Mayor Karen Bass in November’s runoff.

Voting Delays Criticized

Republican Steve Hilton criticized the slow ballot counting in California and blamed the delay on Democratic policies. By Thursday, 5.6 million ballots were counted, while approximately 3.6 million remain. Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra lead the gubernatorial race, but it’s too early to declare winners.

Hilton remarked, “India counts over 640 million votes in a day. California cannot count less than 10 million votes in a month.”

The governor’s office responded, indicating that local officials, not the governor, are responsible for counting ballots.

State Superintendent Runoff Set

Republican Sonja Shaw led the primary for state schools superintendent. Democrat Richard Barrera secured the second position. Both will compete in a November runoff to determine the next state superintendent.

State Treasurer Candidates Finalized

Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and Republican Jennifer Hawks will face off in November for the state treasurer position. Kounalakis, endorsed by prominent Democrats, aims for the treasury role after serving as lieutenant governor.

California’s Slow Vote Count Explained

California’s extended vote counting is due to the multiple voting methods allowed, including mail ballots accepted up to seven days post-election. This, combined with signature verification processes, makes it a thorough but slow process.

Trump Claims and Investigation Statements

President Trump, without evidence, claimed Democrats are “cheating” in California’s elections. His remarks follow ongoing investigations by the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office into alleged fraud. Officials have dismissed these accusations, stressing California’s commitment to accurate elections.

Monterey Park Bans Data Centers

Monterey Park became the first city to ban data centers via public vote. Measure NDC passed with significant support, reflecting growing local opposition to data centers proposed in the area.

Measure to Reshape Shasta County Elections

In Shasta County, Measure B, a proposal to revamp election procedures including hand-counted ballots, is leading but faces potential legal challenges for conflicting with state laws.

Updated Governor Race Leads

Republican Steve Hilton maintains a slight lead over Democrat Xavier Becerra, with independent monitoring emphasizing patience as California’s vote count continues.

Xavier Becerra’s Election Night Speech

Becerra addressed supporters, highlighting his journey and determination to improve California with policies on housing, healthcare access, and economic growth. “I never gave up,” he said, underscoring his ambition to advance in the political race.