California Primary Tests Democratic Field Amid Voter Discontent

California voters on June 2, 2026, cast ballots in a jungle primary for governor and other offices, with the top two finishers in each race advancing to the November general election regardless of party. The contests occur against a backdrop of public frustration over homelessness, crime, and slow rebuilding after wildfires that destroyed more than 17,000 homes in Los Angeles County the prior year.

More than 60 candidates appeared on the gubernatorial ballot to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. Polls entering election day showed former Biden administration Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra leading, followed closely by billionaire Tom Steyer and Republican Steve Hilton, who received an endorsement from President Donald Trump. Other Democratic contenders included former Rep. Katie Porter, who saw support drop after two videos went viral, and former Rep. Eric Swalwell, who withdrew in April after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct; Swalwell denied the allegations and resigned his House seat. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, another Republican, lost ground after Trump backed Hilton.

In the Los Angeles mayoral race, incumbent Democrat Karen Bass sought a second term while facing progressive City Council member Nithya Raman on the left and reality television personality Spencer Pratt on the right. Pratt, whose home was destroyed in the wildfires, campaigned on public safety and government accountability; Bass received endorsements from Newsom, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and both California U.S. senators. If no candidate reached 50 percent, the top two would advance to November.

The same day, Iowa held primaries for an open Senate seat and an open gubernatorial race. Democrats Josh Turek and Zach Wahls competed for the Senate nomination against Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson. In the Iowa governor’s race, Trump-endorsed Rep. Randy Feenstra led a Republican field that included Zach Lahn. Additional primaries took place in Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Dakota.

California’s results will help determine which candidates advance and will serve as an early indicator of voter priorities heading into the 2026 midterms, when control of the U.S. House and Senate will be at stake.