California Primary Elections: Governor’s Race Remains Too Close to Call

California voters headed to the polls on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in a primary election that has left the gubernatorial race undecided. As election officials continue the process of counting ballots, the contest to determine the top two candidates for the general election remains a tight race.

Gubernatorial Race Outlook

The race for governor has drawn significant attention, with candidates Steve Hilton and Xavier Becerra emerging as frontrunners in early reporting. According to results provided by the Associated Press, Steve Hilton currently holds a narrow lead with 28% of the vote, followed by Xavier Becerra at 25%. Other candidates, including Tom Steyer and Chad Bianco, have also secured notable shares of the vote as the count proceeds.

Election experts note that many ballots remain uncounted across the state. In California, the electoral process often involves a lengthy verification period for mail-in ballots, which can significantly shift totals after election night. Historically, these outstanding ballots have often leaned toward Democratic candidates, leaving the final outcome of the primary standings in flux.

Los Angeles Mayoral Race

In the municipal contests, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has officially advanced to the runoff election in November. The NBC Los Angeles projection confirms that Bass secured her spot after leading in the primary returns. While Bass is set for the general election, the identity of her opponent remains to be determined as final tallies are completed.

National Primary Takeaways

The June 2 primary cycle extended beyond California, with significant results reported in several other states:

• Iowa: Democrats have selected their nominee for the U.S. Senate race, setting the stage for a competitive general election. Meanwhile, the Republican primary for governor saw a candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump fail to secure the nomination.
• New Jersey: Rebecca Bennett secured the Democratic nomination for the state’s 7th Congressional District.
• New Mexico: Deb Haaland emerged victorious in the primary race for the gubernatorial nomination.

Looking Ahead

As the state moves past election day, the focus shifts to the remaining ballot counts. With the gubernatorial race in California too close to call, political observers are closely monitoring the updates from election offices to see if the current margins hold or if late-arriving ballots alter the top-two configuration. For voters, the primary serves as a critical step in narrowing the field before the final decisions are made in the November general election.