Election workers in California are digging through millions of uncounted ballots this morning, leaving the state’s high-stakes gubernatorial race and several key down-ballot contests completely up in the air.
With 50% of the expected vote tallied as of Wednesday morning, the crowded race to lead the nation’s most populous state is still too close to call.
Under California’s jungle primary system, the top two finishers advance to the general election regardless of political party. Currently, three heavyweight contenders are locked in a tight battle for those two golden tickets. Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host, holds a narrow lead with 27% of the vote.
Democratic former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra is hot on his heels at 26%, while billionaire Democratic activist Tom Steyer sits at 20%. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican, is a distant fourth at 11%, representing the only other candidate to cross into double digits.
The uncertainty isn’t limited to the governor’s mansion. In Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass is projected to advance to a November runoff, but her opponent remains a mystery. Bass leads the field with 37% of the vote. Republican Spencer Pratt currently holds the second-place spot at 29%, but progressive Democratic City Councilmember Nithya Raman is still in striking distance at 21% with half the expected votes counted.
Up north in San Francisco, the scramble to succeed retiring former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has only settled one slot. Democratic State Senator Scott Wiener has officially advanced to the general election. The fight for the second runoff spot is ongoing, with Pelosi-endorsed Connie Chan leading progressive activist Saikat Chakrabarti 29% to 15%.
While California counts, primary results solidified in several other states across the country:
- New Mexico: Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland secured the Democratic nomination in the race for governor.
- Iowa: In a notable upset, businessman Zach Lahn defeated Representative Randy Feenstra in the Republican gubernatorial primary, with voters rejecting a late endorsement from former President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Democratic State Representative Josh Turek captured his party’s nomination for Iowa’s open U.S. Senate seat.
- South Dakota: Republican businessman Toby Doeden successfully advanced to a runoff in the state’s gubernatorial race.
- New Jersey: Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot, clinched the Democratic primary victory in the 7th Congressional District.
- California Special Election: Away from the uncalled primaries, Republican State Representative James Gallagher won the special election for California’s 1st Congressional District, securing his seat as the newest member of Congress.
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