California Election Results 2026: A Tight Governor’s Race, a Los Angeles Runoff and a State Still Waiting for Answers

California’s 2026 primary election has delivered exactly what political observers expected from a state-sized contest with national implications: uncertainty, drama and a vote count that may take days to settle.

Early California election results showed Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra running neck and neck in the race for governor, with Democratic billionaire activist Tom Steyer still within reach of a top-two finish. At the same time, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass advanced to a November runoff, while Spencer Pratt and Nithya Raman battled for the second spot on the ballot.

The results remain incomplete, and that is not unusual in California. The state’s heavy use of mail-in ballots, signature verification and county-level processing means election night is often only the beginning of the count, not the end. For voters searching for “who is winning the California governor race,” “who won California governor,” or “California primary results 2026,” the most accurate answer as of the latest early returns is simple: the major races are still developing.

But even before final results are certified, the 2026 California primary has already revealed a deeper political story. Voters are frustrated. Party loyalties are under pressure. The race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom has become a referendum not only on candidates but also on the direction of the state itself.

A Governor’s Race Too Close to Call

The race for California governor is the main event of the 2026 primary. Gov. Gavin Newsom is term-limited, creating an open contest for one of the most powerful governorships in the United States.

Early returns placed Steve Hilton, Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer at the front of a crowded field. According to one batch of early results, Hilton led with 27.7% and 1,336,763 votes, followed by Becerra with 25.5% and 1,230,388 votes. Steyer stood in third with 19.6% and 947,023 votes, while Republican Chad Bianco followed with 11.3% and 546,951 votes. At that point, 55.7% of the expected vote had been counted.

Other early tallies showed a similar shape to the race: Hilton at about 27%, Becerra at about 26%, Steyer at about 20% and Bianco at about 11%, with roughly half the expected vote counted.

That means the California governor race is not simply a question of who is leading. It is a question of who can survive the state’s top-two primary system.

How California’s Primary System Works

California uses a “top-two” primary system, often called a jungle primary. All candidates appear on the same ballot, regardless of party. The two candidates who receive the most votes advance to the November general election.

This system can produce unusual outcomes. Two Democrats can advance. Two Republicans can advance. Or, as early results suggested in 2026, one Republican and one Democrat can move forward in a state where Democrats hold a significant voter registration advantage.

That structure is central to understanding why the 2026 California primary results matter so much. The Republican vote appeared more consolidated around Hilton, while the Democratic vote was divided among several candidates, including Becerra, Steyer, Katie Porter, Matt Mahan and Antonio Villaraigosa.

For Democrats, the fear was vote-splitting. With so many Democratic candidates in the race, some voters worried that the party could fracture its support and allow two Republicans to advance. Early results did not show that outcome, but they did show how unpredictable the field had become.

Steve Hilton’s Rise Turns the Race Into a Referendum

Steve Hilton entered the race as a Republican commentator and former adviser to David Cameron’s Conservative government in the United Kingdom. Backed by Donald Trump, Hilton framed the governor’s race as a judgment on Democratic control in California.

His message focused on affordability, public safety and dissatisfaction with what he described as years of one-party rule. In early returns, that message was enough to place him at or near the top of the field.

At his election night event, Hilton told supporters: “This is the first stage, but the fight really starts tomorrow.”

In another election night message, he said: “We’re not there yet, but it’s looking good. It looks very much as if Californians really will have the chance to vote for change in November and take our state in a new direction, a fresh start for our state, which is long overdue.”

Those remarks captured the core of Hilton’s campaign: California, he argued, needs a break from the Democratic establishment.

Whether that argument can win statewide in November is a different question. California remains a deeply Democratic state. But Hilton’s early lead showed that a Republican candidate could capitalize on voter frustration if Democrats remain divided.

Xavier Becerra’s Underdog Campaign Finds Late Momentum

Xavier Becerra’s position near the top of the early results marked one of the major surprises of the governor’s race.

Becerra is a former California attorney general, former U.S. congressman and former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. For much of the campaign, however, he struggled to gain traction. He was overshadowed by louder, wealthier or more ideologically forceful candidates.

Yet by the final weeks, Becerra began rising in polls and returns. His campaign leaned into a message of experience, competence and public service. He presented himself as someone who understood government, even if he was not the “slickest” or the “richest” candidate in the race.

Speaking to supporters, Becerra highlighted his long-shot path.

“Almost immediately, he’s counted out, an afterthought, overlooked by many, outspent by a ton, even called along the way to drop out and save us the trouble,” he said. “Well, guess what? The underdog stayed in the fight. Like my parents, I never gave up.”

That underdog framing may prove important if Becerra advances. In a race defined by frustration with political elites, he must balance his decades of public service with a case that he represents stability rather than stagnation.

Tom Steyer Waits as Ballots Continue to Be Counted

Tom Steyer, the billionaire investor and climate activist, remained in third place in early results but did not concede. His campaign was built on a progressive outsider message and backed by extraordinary personal spending.

Steyer argued that California needed a leader willing to challenge corporations and billionaires, despite being a billionaire himself. His campaign spent heavily, and outside observers described the overall governor’s race as being shaped by record-setting political money.

On election night, Steyer urged patience.

“It might take some time to figure out where this is going. We’re going to wait until every ballot is counted. We’re going to give democracy time to work,” he told supporters in San Francisco.

In another speech, he said: “We’re here tonight because our state is in crisis and so is our nation. California is the richest state in the richest country in the history of the world. It’s unacceptable that right now so many Californians struggle to make ends meet.”

Steyer’s challenge is arithmetic. With millions of ballots still left to count, he remained close enough to argue that the race was not over. But he needed late-counted ballots to shift meaningfully in his direction to overtake one of the top two candidates.

Katie Porter, Matt Mahan and Antonio Villaraigosa Fall Short

Several high-profile candidates appeared unlikely to advance.

Katie Porter, the only major female candidate in the crowded Democratic field, conceded Tuesday night. Her campaign focused on housing affordability, eliminating state income tax for middle-class residents and an explicit platform to abolish ICE. She was also described as the only major candidate for governor who did not accept corporate donations.

Porter told supporters she was “incredibly proud of the campaign that we built together,” while acknowledging that “coming up short is hard.”

San José Mayor Matt Mahan also conceded after a poor showing in early returns. He had entered the race late and had been polling in the single digits despite major support from Silicon Valley leaders.

Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa also conceded, saying: “Tonight didn’t turn out the way we hoped, and I offer my congratulations to the winners and offer my best wishes for the road ahead.”

Their exits reinforced the central theme of the governor’s race: no Democrat was able to consolidate the field early. That fragmentation gave Hilton room to rise and left Becerra and Steyer fighting for Democratic voters who were still making late decisions.

Why California Results Take Time

Many voters searching for “election results today,” “live California election results” or “primary election results today” expect quick answers. California rarely works that way.

The state’s voting system is designed around access and verification. Mail-in voting is widely used. Ballots must be processed carefully. Counties verify signatures and count ballots that arrive or are processed after election day, as long as they meet legal requirements.

In Los Angeles County, ballots are transported to a central processing facility in the City of Industry. Election workers inspect, process and count ballots in stages. Officials described the system as built for security and transparency.

Dean Logan, L.A. County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, said: “This facility was designed for transparency and security. We know this process belongs to the voters, and we want voters to show up and feel confident.”

That means election night returns can be misleading. Early batches often include mail ballots received before election day. Later counts can include in-person votes, drop-box ballots and additional verified mail ballots.

For close races, the final result may take days or even longer.

Los Angeles Mayor’s Race: Bass Advances, Second Spot Unsettled

The Los Angeles election results added another major storyline to California’s primary night.

Mayor Karen Bass advanced to the November runoff in her bid for a second term. Early returns showed Bass leading with about 36% to 37% of the vote, while Spencer Pratt held second place with roughly 29% to 30%. Nithya Raman followed with about 21% to 22%.

Because Bass did not cross 50%, she could not win outright. That means Los Angeles will hold a runoff on Nov. 3.

Bass thanked supporters and framed the election as a continuation of her public service.

“I love you. I appreciate you. I appreciate you for believing in me,” she said.

She also told supporters she had devoted her life to serving the city and said: “I’m going to continue to do that all the way to victory in November.”

Bass entered the race as an experienced Democratic leader, but her first term had become politically difficult. Los Angeles has faced homelessness, affordability pressures, public safety concerns, wildfire recovery and frustration over city services.

Her opponents turned that frustration into a campaign issue.

Spencer Pratt and Nithya Raman Battle for the Runoff

Spencer Pratt, a former reality TV star known from “The Hills,” emerged as one of the most unusual political figures in the 2026 cycle. His campaign centered on criticism of Bass, homelessness and the city’s response to destructive wildfires. Pratt entered politics after his Pacific Palisades home burned down, making disaster response a personal and political theme.

After Bass advanced, Pratt looked ahead to a possible one-on-one contest.

“Well, obviously God wanted five more months of me exposing all the failures of our mayor, so it’s gonna be a fun ride,” Pratt said. “I hope she’s ready.”

He also said: “Now I have five months to get deep into every community that hasn’t heard my message to make them safe. So I’m actually very excited, because I felt very rushed. It’s a big city, and I was not able to talk to as many people as I look forward to talking to.”

Nithya Raman, a Los Angeles City Council member and progressive candidate, trailed Pratt in early returns but did not treat the race as finished. She reminded supporters that many ballots were still outstanding.

“Tonight may not give us a final answer on this race,” Raman said.

She added: “Many thousands of votes will be counted in the days ahead, and we may not get an answer we like, but regardless of what happens next, nobody, nobody can take away what all of us have built together.”

The Bass-Pratt-Raman contest reflects a larger debate about Los Angeles: whether voters want continuity, a progressive reset or a sharp anti-establishment challenge.

Other California Races: Statewide and Congressional Stakes

California’s 2026 primary was not only about the governor and Los Angeles mayor.

In the secretary of state race, incumbent Shirley Weber and Republican Donald Wagner advanced to the general election. Early results showed Weber with 2,495,311 votes, or 54.4%, while Wagner had 1,891,965 votes, or 41.3%. Michael Feinstein followed with 106,431 votes, or 2.3%.

In the attorney general race, Rob Bonta and Michael Gates advanced to November. Bonta led with 52.7% and 2,451,043 votes, while Gates had 42.5% and 1,978,471 votes.

In the controller’s race, Democratic incumbent Malia Cohen and Republican Herb Morgan advanced. Cohen led with 53.4% and 2,439,023 votes, while Morgan had 42.1% and 1,923,043 votes.

Congressional races also carried national importance. California’s redistricting effort could help Democrats gain additional House seats, making the state central to the fight for control of Congress. Several House races remained too early to call, including key battleground districts where candidate matchups could shape the November map.

The Issues Driving California Voters

The 2026 California election results are not only numbers. They reflect a mood.

Across the governor’s race and Los Angeles mayor’s race, voters appeared focused on affordability, housing, homelessness, wildfire risk, public safety and the cost of living. These issues cut across party lines and created openings for candidates attacking the status quo.

California’s economy is massive, but many residents feel squeezed by high housing costs, expensive daily life and uncertainty about the future. That contradiction — a rich state where many people struggle — became a defining theme of the campaign.

Steyer put it bluntly when he said: “California is the richest state in the richest country in the history of the world. It’s unacceptable that right now so many Californians struggle to make ends meet.”

Hilton used similar frustration to argue for a political change in direction. Becerra argued that experience and competence were the answer. Bass defended her record in Los Angeles, while Pratt and Raman offered sharply different critiques of City Hall.

The result is a primary that feels less like a routine midterm contest and more like a statewide stress test.

What Happens Next?

The immediate next step is vote counting.

California counties will continue processing ballots, and the shape of the governor’s race may shift as more votes are added. Hilton and Becerra held the strongest early positions, but Steyer remained close enough to wait for additional returns.

In Los Angeles, Bass has secured a runoff spot, but the identity of her opponent depends on whether Pratt can hold his advantage over Raman as ballots continue to be counted.

For voters asking “when do polls close in California,” the answer for election day was 8 p.m. But for voters asking “when will California election results be final,” the answer is less immediate. Close races may require patience, especially where millions of ballots remain outstanding.

A Primary That Could Reshape California Politics

The California primary election of 2026 has already delivered a powerful message: voters are unsettled, and the old assumptions about the state’s political order are being tested.

A Republican led early in the race to replace Gavin Newsom. A veteran Democrat surged after being written off. A billionaire progressive waited for late ballots. A reality TV personality became a serious contender for Los Angeles mayor. An incumbent mayor advanced but did not avoid a runoff.

The final California election results will determine who appears on the November ballot. But the broader meaning is already visible.

California voters are demanding answers on affordability, housing, public safety, homelessness and government performance. The candidates who advance will now have to do more than survive the primary. They will have to convince a restless electorate that they can govern a state — and cities — under pressure.

For now, the most important word in California politics is patience. The ballots are still being counted, and the story is not finished.