Key facts
- Democrat Xavier Becerra is projected to advance to the general election for California governor.
- California's primary election results may take days or weeks to be released.
- Votes arriving up to a week after election day are considered valid if postmarked by election day.
- Republican Steve Hilton expressed confidence in a strong showing for Republicans in California.
- Steve Hilton launched an advertisement targeting Xavier Becerra's political career.
- An antisemitic conspiracy theorist received a substantial number of votes in the California governor race.
- The White House rejected a proposed $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund.
- Crypto PACs spent approximately $3 million on ads in California and New Jersey.
- Crypto PACs spent over $411,000 to support Senator Mike Rounds in South Dakota.
- Rep. Jimmy Gomez will head to a runoff election after admitting infidelity.
Democrat Xavier Becerra has been projected by CBS News to advance to the general election for California governor. His opponent in the general election remains undetermined as the state continues to count ballots from its primary election. The slow pace of result tabulation is attributed to California's reliance on mail-in voting, where ballots postmarked by election day are valid if they arrive up to a week later. This process, while criticized by some, is defended as a means to maximize voter turnout and access.
In the Republican field, Steve Hilton, a candidate endorsed by Donald Trump, has voiced optimism about the party's prospects in the state's primary, pointing to significant enthusiasm among California Republicans and the influence of Trump's endorsement. Hilton has also initiated a campaign advertisement that targets Xavier Becerra's 36-year political career, framing it as a negative aspect as the gubernatorial race heats up. Despite widespread condemnation, an antisemitic conspiracy theorist associated with Charlie Kirk has garnered a substantial number of votes in the California gubernatorial election. Democratic voters reportedly cast ballots strategically to ensure their party was not excluded from the general election.
Beyond the California gubernatorial race, the White House has confirmed that a proposed $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund will not be revived, according to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. In parallel, political action committees focused on cryptocurrency have collectively spent approximately $3 million on advertising campaigns in California and New Jersey. These PACs also allocated over $411,000 to support Senator Mike Rounds in South Dakota, coinciding with primary elections held across six states. Representative Jimmy Gomez of California is also headed to a runoff election following his admission of infidelity, which followed a report of him being seen kissing a congressional aide.