California's primary for governor is undecided as candidates vie to be in the top two [View all]

Source: NPR

National
California's primary for governor is undecided as candidates vie to be in the top two

June 3, 20264:14 AM ET
KQED
By Marisa Lagos

Xavier Becerra, Democratic gubernatorial candidate for California, and Steve Hilton, Republican gubernatorial candidate for California, shake hands while arriving for a gubernatorial debate at KRON Studios in San Francisco, California, US, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.


Xavier Becerra, Democratic gubernatorial candidate for California, and Steve Hilton, Republican gubernatorial candidate for California, shake hands while arriving for a gubernatorial debate at KRON Studios in San Francisco in April.
Jason Henry/Getty Images North America

SAN FRANCISCO -- The primary election for California governor is too close to call, with vote counting continuing Wednesday. Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican business executive Steve Hilton lead the field with Democrat Tom Steyer in third place.

In California's unusual primary system, all candidates, regardless of party, appear on a single ballot open to any registered voter. The top two candidates then move on to the general election, even if they're from the same party. This year, voters had 60 names for governor to choose from.

The winner will lead the country's most populous state, where leaders often take on national political prominence. Incumbent Gov. Gavin Newsom is at his two-term limit and could be a Democratic contender for president.

Becerra, former Health and Human Services secretary under President Joe Biden, pitched himself to voters as an experienced political leader who isn't afraid of President Trump, but his lead caps one of the most surprising and dramatic comebacks in recent state political history. As recently as April, polls were showing Becerra -- also a former member of Congress and California attorney general -- languishing in single digits in a crowded field.

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Read more: https://www.npr.org/2026/06/03/nx-s1-5844747/california-primary-election-results-governor