Ex-UK political aide and Biden cabinet secretary lead California governor primary vote count

June 3, 2026

California's gubernatorial primary remains undecided following Tuesday's vote, with Democrat Xavier Becerra, a former Biden health secretary, and Republican Steve Hilton, a British-American ex-Fox News host and former adviser to UK Prime Minister David Cameron, leading a field of over 60 candidates. The state's "jungle primary" system advances the top two vote-getters regardless of party, and results may take days due to heavy mail-in voting. The Democratic primary became chaotic after leading candidate Eric Swalwell dropped out amid scandal, and the race became California's most expensive gubernatorial contest ever with multiple Democrats splitting the vote.

Who is affected

California voters and residents
Xavier Becerra (Democrat, former Biden health secretary)
Steve Hilton (Republican, former UK political adviser and TV host)
Tom Steyer (Democratic billionaire climate activist in third place)
Eric Swalwell (former Democratic candidate who dropped out)
Other Democratic candidates including Katie Porter, Matt Mahan, and Nithya Raman
Los Angeles residents voting in the mayoral primary
Karen Bass (incumbent LA mayor)
Spencer Pratt (reality TV star) and Nithya Raman (competing for second spot in LA mayor race)

What action is being taken

Vote counting is continuing for the gubernatorial primary
Postal ballots cast on Tuesday are being tallied
The Los Angeles mayoral primary tally is ongoing to determine who will face Karen Bass

Why it matters

California is the most populous US state and represents the fifth largest economy in the world, making its leadership consequential both nationally and globally. The state has been at the forefront of major political battles on immigration, climate policy, homelessness, housing affordability, and fuel prices. The chaotic Democratic primary has raised the unusual possibility that two Republicans could advance in a deeply liberal state where Democrats outnumber Republicans two-to-one, which would represent a significant political shift. The governor will need to address critical challenges including the homelessness crisis, immigration enforcement debates, and affordability issues affecting millions of Californians.

What's next

The state may have to wait another day or more to determine which two candidates will advance to the November general election
The two leading candidates will face each other in November's general election
Los Angeles will determine whether Nithya Raman or Spencer Pratt will face Karen Bass in the mayoral general election

Read full article from source: BBC