Key facts
- California's primary election will determine finalists for governor and Los Angeles mayor.
- The election will test newly redrawn congressional lines potentially impacting the U.S. House balance.
- Governor Newsom is termed out and widely expected to run for president in 2028.
- California's 'jungle primary' system advances the top two vote-getters regardless of party.
- A new congressional map aims to shift five California seats to the Democratic column.
- Reality TV star Spencer Pratt is running for Los Angeles mayor.
California's primary election on Tuesday is significant not only for determining the finalists in the gubernatorial and mayoral races but also for its potential impact on the U.S. House of Representatives. The state's newly redrawn congressional map, a strategic move by Governor Newsom, aims to increase Democratic representation, potentially shifting the balance of power in Congress. This election will reveal the effectiveness of these redistricting efforts and the electorate's response. Primary elections are also being held in Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, and South Dakota.
In Los Angeles, reality television personality Spencer Pratt is testing voters' appetite for a political outsider in the mayoral race. Pratt, who launched his campaign in January, focuses on ousting incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, citing her alleged mishandling of the 2025 Palisades wildfire. Pratt's proposed solutions for homelessness include relocating individuals to other cities, a plan met with skepticism by some residents. Voters expressed concerns about the housing crisis, soaring cost of living, and the effectiveness of current homelessness initiatives.
Democratic strategist Jim Messina warned that Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass should be concerned about her reelection chances ahead of the California primary race on Tuesday, stating she should be very worried no matter who is in the runoff.
The race to replace outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom is one of the most-watched in the nation. California's gubernatorial elections are designed to be nonpartisan. With about six candidates polling with at least 5 percent support, only the top two vote-getters will be on the general gubernatorial election ballot in November, even if both are of the same party. In the final weeks leading into the primary, the election underwent a total shake-up when front-runner Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) left the race - and Congress - following multiple allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault. Swalwell has denied the allegations. Currently, the Democratic front-runners are former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra and billionaire Tom Steyer. The two are polling close, although Becerra retains a slight advantage. The main Republican candidates in the race are Steve Hilton, a British American TV show host and conservative commentator, and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. Polling leaves it unclear whether Hilton or Steyer is favored for second place.
Residents of Los Angeles will also vote in the nonpartisan mayoral primary. Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass is facing off against 10 other contenders. She is expected to win the top spot in the primary. Meanwhile, the top Democratic contender for the second-place spot - member of the Los Angeles City Council Nithya Raman - is seeking to hold off a challenge from former reality TV star Spencer Pratt, running as a Republican, and make it to the general election.
In California's 22nd Congressional District, Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.) will face off in a nonpartisan primary with state Rep. Jasmeet Bains and Randy Villegas, both Democrats. Valadao is expected to win a place in the general election, although his final opponent will be decided by the outcome on June 2.