Voters cast ballots in several states as California governor primary goes down to the wire – live
California’s governor primary is tight, with Xavier Becerra leading and Tom Steyer and Steve Hilton fighting for second place, as other states also vote.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
The live blog centers on California’s top-two governor primary, where Xavier Becerra is ahead but the runoff field is still unsettled. It also tracks elections in several other states and a handful of Trump-era political disputes.
California is picking who gets to face off in November, like narrowing a big class race to the top two runners. At the same time, other states are voting and more politics fights are playing out across the country.
Analysis
California race
California voters are choosing among more than 60 names in a top-two primary that sends the two highest vote-getters to November’s general election, regardless of party. The Guardian says former Biden health secretary Xavier Becerra is leading the field, while Democrat Tom Steyer and Trump-backed Republican Steve Hilton are competing for the second runoff spot.
The race matters because it will decide who gets the chance to challenge for the governor’s office after Gavin Newsom reaches his term limit. The live update also notes that Californians are voting on House districts for the first time since Proposition 50, which was passed in response to Texas redrawing its congressional map in a way that created five Republican-leaning districts.
Wider election day
The live blog says Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, South Dakota and New Mexico are also holding elections on Tuesday. In Los Angeles, voters are taking part in the city’s mayoral primary, where incumbent Karen Bass is seeking a second term against challengers from the left and right.
Other developments
Beyond the ballots, the live coverage highlights several Trump-related fights. Senate Democrats plan to force a vote on a $1.8bn fund tied to a settlement of Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS. The blog also notes that Tina Peters, a former Colorado clerk convicted over election conspiracy efforts, was released after her sentence was commuted. Separately, an appeals court said transgender troops can remain in the military, though the services can still block new enlistments.
Key points
- California’s governor primary uses a top-two system, with the two leading candidates advancing to November.
- Xavier Becerra is leading, while Tom Steyer and Steve Hilton are competing for the other runoff place.
- More than 60 names are on the ballot in the heavily Democratic state.
- California voters are also weighing House district changes tied to Proposition 50 and Texas redistricting.
- The live blog also tracks elections in Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, South Dakota and New Mexico.
If the top-two system works as intended, it will produce a clear November matchup and give voters a second, sharper choice. The broad ballot may also help surface the candidates with the strongest support across party lines.
If no one breaks decisively ahead, the race could stay messy until November and leave voters with months of uncertainty. The redistricting fight and the other Trump-related disputes mentioned in the live blog could deepen partisan tension around the vote.
