{"id":2613096,"date":"2026-06-10T17:12:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T21:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-voters-finally-know-outcomes-of-primaries-eight-days-later\/"},"modified":"2026-06-10T17:15:42","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T21:15:42","slug":"california-voters-finally-know-outcomes-of-primaries-eight-days-later","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-voters-finally-know-outcomes-of-primaries-eight-days-later\/","title":{"rendered":"California voters finally know outcomes of primaries \u2026 eight days later"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><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-voters-finally-know-outcomes-of-primaries-eight-days-later%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=2613096&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>More then a week after Californians voted, election officials finally completed key primary results across several closely watched contests, ending uncertainty about which candidates will appear on the Nov. 3 general-election ballot.<\/p>\n<p>In the crowded race for governor, democrats\u2019 Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton finished as the top two vote-getters. In Los angeles\u2019s mayoral contest, Mayor Karen Bass and Councilwoman Nithya Raman advanced, while Spencer Pratt did not.Delays also affected multiple House battleground races in newly redrawn districts that Democrats believe are central to their effort to regain control of the lower chamber.<\/p>\n<p>The prolonged counting has again put California\u2019s election system in the spotlight. The state\u2019s vote-by-mail process-combined with ballot acceptance rules and \u201cballot harvesting\u201d-can postpone final outcomes, especially in tight races. Critics say the delays undermine public confidence and invite skepticism, while supporters argue the extra time helps ensure every valid vote is counted.<\/p>\n<p>Some Republicans and commentators tied the slow results to concerns about election integrity, including claims by House Speaker Mike Johnson and a post by a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >federal prosecutor discussing election-fraud investigations<\/a> (without providing details). Others, including Democratic strategist garry South, defended the timeline as normal for California\u2019s mail-first approach and said faster reporting is not synonymous with wrongdoing. Media expert Kaivan Shroff added that officials and political leaders bear some obligation for better educating the public about what to expect.<\/p>\n<p>On the House side,outcomes in districts reshaped by Proposition 50 took time to resolve,and the political landscape shifted after redistricting due to retirement,party changes,and deaths of incumbents. Candidates advanced in several districts,including contests featuring James Gallagher vs. Mike McGuire (to replace LaMalfa),Richard Pan vs. Kevin Kiley (after a delayed call), and Randy Villegas vs. Valadao in the 22nd District. The 40th District produced an especially notable result with two incumbent Republicans-Ken Calvert and Young Kim-advancing to face each other in the general election.  <\/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\">More than a week after <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/california\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"60\">Californians<\/a> cast their ballots, the field is finally set in several of the state\u2019s most <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11675\">closely watched races<\/a>, ending days of uncertainty over who will advance to November\u2019s general election.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In California\u2019s crowded governor\u2019s race, Democrat <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/xavier-becerra\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1719\">Xavier Becerra<\/a> and Republican <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4599751\/steve-hilton-world-laughing-california-vote-counting\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4599751\">Steve Hilton<\/a> emerged as the top two finishers. In Los Angeles\u2019s mayoral race, Mayor <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/karen-bass\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2491\">Karen Bass<\/a> and Councilwoman Nithya Raman secured spots in the general election, leaving <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/spencer-pratt\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"22652\">Spencer Pratt<\/a>, a strong contender, out of the final field. Voters also had to wait days to learn the outcomes of some of the nation\u2019s most consequential House battleground races after casting ballots in five newly redrawn congressional districts that Democrats view as central to their effort to reclaim the lower chamber.<\/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\/4601714\/pamela-evette-alan-wilson-runoff-south-carolina-governor\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Pamela Evette and Alan Wilson head to runoff for South Carolina governor GOP nod<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4601813\/steve-hilton-california-governor-general-election\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump-backed Steve Hilton advances to general election for California governor<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4601413\/los-angeles-race-outcome-not-surprising-byron-york\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>LA mayoral race outcome \u2018not a huge surprise\u2019 but process was \u2018terrible\u2019: Byron York<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Orange County election processing center, Nov. 4, 2025. (Barnini Chakraborty\/Washington Examiner)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The lengthy count has once again put California\u2019s election system in the spotlight. The state\u2019s expansive vote-by-mail program, acceptance of ballots postmarked by election day, and legal practice of \u201cballot harvesting,\u201d allowing third parties to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-police-say-hundreds-of-vote-by-mail-recall-ballots-found-in-car\/\" title=\"California Police Say Hundreds Of ...By-Mail Recall ... Found In Car\">return completed ballots<\/a>, can delay final results, particularly in close races. Critics argue the process takes too long and fuels public skepticism, while supporters say the additional time helps ensure every valid vote is counted.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">President Donald Trump<\/a> setting the tone, some Republicans and commentators raised concerns about the integrity of the process. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mike-johnson\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"7043\">House Speaker Mike Johnson<\/a> (R-LA), while offering no specific evidence of wrongdoing, claimed Monday that the election process in the Los Angeles mayoral race \u201cstinks to high heaven.\u201d Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli also posted on social media that federal prosecutors were working with the FBI on \u201cmultiple election fraud investigations,\u201d though he provided no details.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But California\u00a0Democratic strategist Garry South, who has run campaigns for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gavin-newsom\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1426\">Gov. Gavin Newsom <\/a>(D-CA) and former Gov.\u00a0Gray Davis, insisted that the slow pace was just part of the process.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe length of our vote count in California does lend itself to charges of hanky-panky by Trump and other Republicans like Speaker Johnson who are hell-bent on crying fraud and election-rigging,\u201d he told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cThe plain and simple fact is that it takes longer to count\u00a0our votes because we rely on mail-in ballots, which are accepted and counted if they are mailed by election day. We choose to count every vote, which is what a democracy should demand.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kaivan Shroff, a media and culture expert, said that a lengthy wait time reflected nothing other than California\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/voter-fraud-or-red-mirage-why-pratts-fate-and-la-mayoral-race-is-complicated\/\" title=\"Voter fraud or &#039;red mirage&#039;? Why Pratt&#039;s fate and LA ... is complicated\">normal ballot-counting process<\/a>, but admitted that some\u00a0responsibility for the confusion should fall on state election officials and political leaders.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAs much as the California system is designed to be as inclusive as possible and allow the most people to vote, they don\u2019t seem to have done an appropriate job educating the public on the process so that people can expect these sorts of changes and fluctuations,\u201d Shroff told the <em>Washington Examiner.<\/em> \u201cInsiders and political commentators are aware of that dynamic, and we\u2019ve been talking about it since election night. But I think it\u2019s incumbent on leaders to make sure people have faith in the system and trust in the system, especially when it\u2019s at such a low point across the country.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hilton publicly urged Newsom to speed up\u00a0the state\u2019s vote-counting process, arguing that reporting delays\u00a0were eroding public trust in the state\u2019s election.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cCalifornians deserve elections that are secure, transparent, and timely,\u201d Hilton said. \u201cIf Governor Newsom is serious about restoring confidence in our elections, he should stop making excuses and deploy resources. Let\u2019s get this done and give Californians the results they deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On Monday, he <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SteveHiltonx\/status\/2063842693646828014\">added<\/a>, \u201cNearly a week into California\u2019s election shambles. The world is laughing at our inability to count votes in a timely manner. Where is Gavin Newsom?\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton speaks during a campaign event on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Norwalk, Calif. (AP Photo\/Benjamin Hanson)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The primary races unfolded against the backdrop of California\u2019s top-two primary system, which sends the two highest vote-getters to the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\">general election<\/a> regardless of party. That structure has left both parties closely watching, for days, whether their preferred candidates survived the crowded primary field to advance to the Nov. 3 election.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-redistrict-results-come-into-focus\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Redistrict results come into focus<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Democrats had high hopes for the five congressional districts redrawn last year after Proposition 50, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/how-californias-vulnerable-republicans-fared-during-primary\/\" title=\"How California&#039;s vulnerable Re...ans fared during primary\">controversial ballot initiative backed<\/a> by Newsom and state Democrats. The measure reshaped California\u2019s congressional map ahead of the midterm elections, creating several districts that Democrats viewed as key opportunities in their effort to reclaim the House. Newsom framed the fight over the new maps as one for the very soul of democracy. But determining who would emerge from those contests took time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The five Republicans most affected by the redistricting effort were the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa and Rep. Kevin Kiley (I-CA) in Northern California, Reps. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Ken Calvert (R-CA) in Southern California, and Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) in the Central Valley. Since the maps were drawn, however, the political landscape had shifted considerably. LaMalfa died in office, Kiley left the Republican Party to become an independent, Issa retired, and Calvert chose to run in a different district against a fellow Republican incumbent. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The race to replace LaMalfa will feature Republican James Gallagher and Democrat Mike McGuire. Kiley <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4590364\/california-6th-congressional-district-primary-results-kevin-kiley\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4590364\/california-6th-congressional-district-primary-results-kevin-kiley\/\">waited several days<\/a> to learn that he would face Richard Pan in California\u2019s 6th Congressional District after it briefly looked like Democrats might be shut out of the November showdown. Pan is known nationally for leading California\u2019s effort to eliminate religious exemptions for school vaccine requirements.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The race in California\u2019s 22nd District was eventually called for Valadao and Democrat Randy Villegas, who earned the backing of progressive figures including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and emerged as a formidable challenger despite facing another Democrat, Jasmeet Bains, who was favored by national party leaders.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/energy-and-environment\/4601447\/trump-california-coal-export-terminal-environmental-legal-resistance\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4601447\">TRUMP\u2019S CALIFORNIA COAL EXPORT TERMINAL PLAN FACES ENVIRONMENTAL LEGAL RESISTANCE <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">California\u2019s 40th District produced perhaps the most unusual result, pitting two incumbent Republicans against one another. Both Calvert and Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) advanced to the general election, setting up an expensive, bruising, and closely watched intraparty showdown.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Issa\u2019s former district, Republican San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond, who secured endorsements from both Issa and Trump, advanced alongside Democrat Marni von Wilpert, a San Diego city councilwoman.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>More than a week after Californians voted, most key races were finalized, ending uncertainty over November\u2019s general election<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2646,"featured_media":2613097,"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\/06\/AP26160615487144-e1781118331800.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[4045,6571,37990,37611,81160],"class_list":["post-2613096","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-california","tag-elections","tag-local-politics","tag-primary-results","tag-voter-news"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26160615487144-e1781118331800.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2613096","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\/2646"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2613096"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2613096\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2613100,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2613096\/revisions\/2613100"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2613097"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2613096"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2613096"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2613096"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}