California Primary Election 2026 – Polls Open in High-Stakes Races to Succeed Gavin Newsom and Decide LA’s Next Mayor
- 17GEN4
- Jun 2
- 3 min read
California Primary Election 2026 Live: Governor & LA Mayor Races Heat Up as Polls Open Today | 17GEN4 News
17GEN4 News | June 2, 2026
Voters across six states — California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Dakota — are heading to the polls today in the latest round of 2026 primary elections. But all eyes are on the Golden State, where a wide-open gubernatorial contest and a fiercely competitive Los Angeles mayoral race could reshape California politics for years to come.
In California’s statewide direct primary, the top-two system means the leading vote-getters — regardless of party — advance to the November 3 general election. Polls opened at 7 a.m. local time and close at 8 p.m., with results expected to trickle in tonight. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by today, and same-day registration is available at county offices or vote centers.
The Race for Governor: A Billionaire, a Former Biden Cabinet Secretary, and a Trump-Endorsed Ex-Fox Host
Term-limited Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom cannot seek a third term, creating the most crowded and unpredictable gubernatorial primary in a generation — with more than 60 candidates on the ballot.
Leading contenders include:
Xavier Becerra (D): Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Biden (2021–2025), California Attorney General (2017–2021), and longtime Los Angeles congressman. Becerra has surged in the final weeks after former Rep. Eric Swalwell dropped out, positioning himself as a steady, experienced leader focused on healthcare, affordability, housing, and protecting the state from potential federal overreach. Recent polls show him leading with 24–28% support.
Tom Steyer (D): The billionaire environmental activist and former 2020 Democratic presidential candidate has poured a record-shattering $150–200 million of his own fortune into the race — the most expensive gubernatorial campaign in California history. Steyer emphasizes climate action, progressive priorities, and cutting government waste while freezing utility rates.
Steve Hilton (R): Former Fox News host and Trump-endorsed Republican frontrunner. Hilton has emerged as the clear GOP leader, campaigning on slashing regulations, reducing spending, and addressing California’s structural budget deficit. His Trump backing helped consolidate Republican support and prevent a potential GOP-only general-election matchup.
Other notable candidates include Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco (R), former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter (D), San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan (D), and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D). Final polls show a tight battle for the second runoff spot between Steyer and Hilton, with Becerra holding the lead.
Los Angeles Mayoral Race: Incumbent vs. Progressive vs. Reality TV Star
In the nonpartisan primary for Los Angeles mayor, incumbent Karen Bass (D) is fighting for re-election amid criticism over homelessness, crime, and recovery from the 2025 Palisades Fire. She faces stiff competition from City Councilmember Nithya Raman (D), a progressive housing-justice advocate, and Spencer Pratt — the Trump-endorsed reality TV star from “The Hills” who has surged as a populist outsider.
Spencer Pratt — a registered Republican running as an independent — has rocketed into contention with a no-nonsense platform promising more police funding, street cleanups, mandatory drug treatment for encampments, and audits of city spending. Pratt, who lost his own home in the Palisades Fire, has raised over $3 million and attracted celebrity endorsements. President Trump publicly said he’d “like to see him do well,” calling Pratt “a big MAGA person,” though Pratt has downplayed national politics, insisting “I don’t need anyone’s endorsement but mothers.”
Latest polls show a nail-biter: Bass and Raman trading blows in the mid-20s to low-30s, with Pratt nipping at their heels at 22–30% in some surveys. The top two advance to November.
What’s at Stake and Latest Updates
Turnout remains relatively low (around 16% early vote as of late May), but Democrats lead mail ballots. Secretary of State Shirley Weber has warned that signature verification and high mail-in volume could delay full results beyond tonight. Vote centers and drop boxes are open statewide until 8 p.m.In other states today:
Iowa: Competitive U.S. Senate and gubernatorial primaries.
Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Dakota: Congressional and state legislative races.
These California contests could signal broader national trends heading into the 2026 midterms — especially whether a Republican can finally crack the state’s Democratic stronghold or if progressive and establishment Democrats hold firm.
California Primary Election 2026 Live: Governor & LA Mayor Races Heat Up as Polls Open Today | 17GEN4 News
Polls are open June 2, 2026, in California’s top-two primary for governor (Becerra, Steyer, Hilton leading) and LA mayor (Bass vs. Raman vs. Trump-endorsed Spencer Pratt). Full details, candidates, polls, and real-time updates from 17GEN4 News.
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