{"id":2608908,"date":"2026-06-01T06:51:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T10:51:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-primary-races-to-watch-as-61-candidates-seek-governors-mansion\/"},"modified":"2026-06-01T06:52:59","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T10:52:59","slug":"california-primary-races-to-watch-as-61-candidates-seek-governors-mansion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-primary-races-to-watch-as-61-candidates-seek-governors-mansion\/","title":{"rendered":"California primary races to watch as 61 candidates seek governor&#8217;s mansion"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcalifornia-primary-races-to-watch-as-61-candidates-seek-governors-mansion%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2608908&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>California is holding primary elections Tuesday that could <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/activists-protest-white-supremacy-after-black-man-arrested-for-attack-on-asian-man-in-san-francisco\/\" title=\"Activists Protest \u2018White Supremacy\u2019 After Black Man Arrested For Attack On Asian Man In San Francisco\">bring national attention<\/a>, including several highly competitive races due to the state\u2019s size and diversity. Most contests use a \u201ctop two\u201d system, where the top two vote-getters advance to the November general election irrespective of party.<\/p>\n<p>Key races include:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; **california gubernatorial race:** A crowded field of 61 candidates, with polls placing **Xavier Becerra** and **Steve Hilton** near the top. The race is shaped by issues like affordability, regulation, environmental policy, and crime, alongside controversies affecting several candidates. Hilton\u2019s trajectory has been boosted after **President donald Trump endorsed him**.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; **Los angeles mayoral primary:** **Incumbent Democrat Karen Bass** faces unexpected competition from **Spencer Pratt** (a Republican with broad campaign appeal focused on corruption and public safety) and **Councilmember Nithya Raman** (cast as a socialist figure emphasizing housing and affordability, but facing criticism tied to her political associations). Polls show the candidates tightly bunched.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; **California\u2019s 22nd Congressional District:** Democrats aim to defeat incumbent **Rep. David Valadao** (R).The main contest is between establishment Democrat **Jasmeet Bains** and progressive Democrat **Randy Villegas**, each backed by prominent national allies.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; **California\u2019s 48th Congressional District:** With **Rep. Darrell Issa** retiring and redistricting shifting the seat, a centrist Republican **Jim Desmond** is positioned to advance, while Democrats compete in a separate primary contest among **Marni von Wilpert**, **Ammar campa-Najjar**, and **Brandon Riker**.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; **California\u2019s 11th Congressional District:** Now open after **Nancy Pelosi** announced retirement, the race is expected to produce a Democratic winner. Leading candidates are **Scott Weiner**, **Saikat Chakrabarti**, and **connie Chan**, with Weiner polling strongly.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The nation\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/california\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"60\">most populous state<\/a> is holding its <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/primaries\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2655\">primaries<\/a> on Tuesday, including close elections that will draw national attention.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While California is renowned as the most significant blue bastion in the country, its size and diversity mean several congressional races are competitive or Republican-leaning. Republicans have a rare shot in the gubernatorial race, and the Los Angeles mayoral primary also has many in the party optimistic.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4588237\/trump-endorses-pam-evette-south-carolina-snubs-mace\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump endorses South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette over Nancy Mace<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4586095\/spencer-pratt-la-mayor-race-taxes-crime-cnbc\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Spencer Pratt pledges to have Los Angeles looking like Dubai in eight years<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4586030\/newsom-endorsement-karen-bass-los-angeles-mayoral-race\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Newsom airs last-minute endorsement for Karen Bass in heated LA mayoral race<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most California elections use a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-mlb-legend-announces-bid-for-dianne-feinsteins-california-senate-seat\/\" title=\"MLB leg... runs for Dianne Feinstein&#039;s CA Senate seat.\">unique primary system<\/a> in which the top two candidates advance to the general election in November, regardless of party.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are the primary races to watch in California on Tuesday:<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-packed-gubernatorial-race\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Packed gubernatorial race<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The California gubernatorial race is one of the most packed in the country, with 61 candidates, of various seriousness, throwing their hats in the ring.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Roughly five candidates are polling at striking distance of the two top spots. This includes two Republicans \u2014 political commentator Steve Hilston and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco \u2014 and three Democrats \u2014 former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former congresswoman Katie Porter, and billionaire businessman Tom Steyer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Current polling puts Becerra and Hilton at the top spots, but last-minute turnout could alter the outcome.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some Republican analysts were hoping early in the race that the relatively high-polling Hilton and Bianco could end up taking the two top spots due to the crowded Democratic field splitting the Democratic vote, but these chances were largely dashed after President Donald Trump endorsed Hilton.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Porter and Becerra have been burned by scandal, particularly the former. Porter has been hit with allegations of mistreating her staff, allegations backed up by leaked videos showing her berating her subordinates. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dana Williamson, a former adviser to Becerra, pleaded guilty to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/deep-blue-illinois-named-the-worst-state-for-the-middle-class\/\" title=\"Deep-Blue Illinois Named the Worst State for the Middle Class\">federal corruption-related charges tied<\/a> to a scheme prosecutors say siphoned money from a dormant campaign account. Becerra hasn\u2019t been charged or officially accused of wrongdoing, but his association has put him on the defensive. At the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4569842\/steve-hilton-becerra-california-governor-debate\/\">last gubernatorial debate,<\/a> Hilton leaned into the corruption angle, telling Becerra he shouldn\u2019t be in the race, but rather \u201cshould be preparing your criminal defense,\u201d drawing gasps from the debate audience.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Steyer, who ran for president in 2020, has leveraged his wealth in massive ad spending. This has so far failed to close the polling gap, however.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The gubernatorial race has revolved around questions of affordability, regulations, environmental policies, and crime.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-los-angeles-mayoral-primary\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Los Angeles mayoral primary<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The race that has taken many by surprise in its competitiveness, and one of the closest watched nationally, is in one of the traditionally bluest cities in the country.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Democratic Mayor <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/karen-bass\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2491\">Karen Bass<\/a> is up for reelection, weathering attacks from her handling of homelessness and last year\u2019s devastating fires. An unlikely challenger in the form of former reality star Spencer Pratt, who said he decided to run after his house was burned down in the inferno, accusing Bass of negligence.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pratt was known as a reality TV show villain in the 2000s, but has since transformed his public image. He\u2019s focused on corruption, mismanagement, homelessness, and crime, giving him some widespread appeal despite his Republican affiliation. He\u2019s so far been able to largely avoid wider debates that could risk polarizing the electorate, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Trump, and many culture war issues.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pratt\u2019s campaign has also been characterized by his savvy use of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/social-media\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"433\">social media<\/a> and campaign ads with high production value.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From the opposite end is Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nithya Raman, a socialist being cast as the city\u2019s version of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Her entrance into the race came as a surprise, as she filed just hours before the deadline and had endorsed Bass\u2019s reelection campaign just weeks before.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Raman\u2019s campaign message has largely focused on issues of housing and affordability, but her associations have drawn her criticism. During her campaign, she was <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ocregister.com\/2026\/05\/20\/nithya-ramans-interview-with-hasan-piker-exposes-her-flawed-socialist-vision-for-los-angeles\/\">interviewed<\/a> by leftist commentator Hasan Piker, known for saying the U.S. \u201cdeserved 9\/11\u201d and who <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >openly defends designated terrorist groups<\/a> such as the Houthis, Hezbollah, and Hamas.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The final <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/california\/story\/2026-05-28\/poll-shows-bass-raman-pratt-in-tight-race-for-mayor\">polls<\/a> of the race showed the three candidates all within the margin of error of each other.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-22nd-district\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">22nd District<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The race for California\u2019s 22nd Congressional District is considered one of the most competitive nationwide, with Democrats hoping to finally unseat the incumbent Rep. David Valadao (R-CA). His position is more vulnerable than ever after being a victim of the national redistricting battle, but is almost guaranteed to be one of the top two candidates who advance to the general election.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That makes the real show on Tuesday the one between the centrist, establishment Democratic State Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains, and progressive Democrat Randy Villegas. Each has a hefty list of endorsements backing them up; Bains has the backing of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and Planned Parenthood, while Villegas is backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-48th-district\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">48th District<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the victims of the California Democrats\u2019 redistricting move, the traditionally Republican-leaning 48th District is now more favorable to Democrats. The seat is open after Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) announced his retirement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Supervisor Jim Desmond is almost guaranteed to advance to the general due to his consolidation of the Republican field. He\u2019s viewed as a centrist Republican who can also rely on MAGA support over Trump\u2019s endorsement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As with the 22nd District, the 48th District\u2019s true contest on Tuesday is that between the Democrats \u2014 a three-way contest between San Diego Councilmember Marni von Wilpert, former <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/obama-administration\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1222\">Obama administration<\/a> official Ammar Campa-Najjar, and economist Brandon Riker.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike the 22nd District, the contest can be labeled less as one between the progressive and centrist wings of the Democratic Party and more as one of different emphases.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wilpert, the leader in polling among Democrats, has stressed her experience in governance; Campa-Najjar is running on a populist, progressive Democratic message; and Riker is running on a platform of innovative solutions to problems like Medicare expansion.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-11th-district\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">11th District<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">California\u2019s 11th District is finally opening up after Democratic heavyweight Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced her retirement, following decades in power. A Democrat is all but guaranteed to win the top two spots, and inherit much of the prestige that comes with Pelosi\u2019s seat.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The three foremost contenders are State Sen. Scott Weiner (D-CA), tech entrepreneur Saikat Chakrabarti, and Supervisor Connie Chan. All can be described as some variant of progressive Democrat, even the establishment-favored Weiner.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Weiner is polling nearly double his closest competitor, almost guaranteeing him a spot on the ballot in November. He\u2019s running on LGBT advocacy, affordability, and local issues. He scored the major endorsement of the California Democratic Party.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4569842\/steve-hilton-becerra-california-governor-debate\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4569842\">STEVE HILTON TELLS BECERRA TO PREPARE \u2018CRIMINAL DEFENSE\u2019 OVER EX-AIDE\u2019S CORRUPTION CASE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pelosi\u2019s chosen successor is Chan, but her relatively low polling shows the former Democratic powerhouse\u2019s plummeting influence within the party. Chan is running on progressive and labor priorities.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chakrabarti is best known as Ocasio-Cortez\u2019s former chief of staff and is running on a similar platform.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>California\u2019s Tuesday primaries include tight races and rare GOP chances statewide and nationally<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2653,"featured_media":2608909,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26135044605646.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[4045,37411,38090],"class_list":["post-2608908","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-california","tag-governor-race","tag-primary-elections"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26135044605646.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2608908","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2653"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2608908"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2608908\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2608912,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2608908\/revisions\/2608912"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2608909"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2608908"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2608908"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2608908"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}