Sacramento, California - June 8, 2026

Xavier Becerra Advances to November General Election for California Governor

Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has secured a position in California’s November gubernatorial election. CNN’s Decision Desk projected on Friday that Becerra would advance after establishing a commanding lead in the primary.

The outcome ensures that Democrats will have a candidate on the general election ballot under the state’s top-two primary system. Becerra released a statement following the projection.

“I’m so humbled and honored to be moving on to the general election to become your next governor. Let’s go win this thing.”

California Democrats viewed the result as a significant relief. Party leaders had expressed concern that a divided field could allow two Republican candidates to advance to the November ballot.

Second-Place Contest Remains Open

The race for the second spot on the November ballot is still unresolved. Republican Steve Hilton, the former Fox News host endorsed by President Donald Trump, remains in contention alongside Democratic activist and billionaire Tom Steyer. Election officials have not yet determined which candidate will advance.

Becerra continued to widen his lead over both Hilton and Steyer in the days following the primary. If Hilton ultimately secures the second position, he would enter the general election in a state where Democrats hold a substantial voter registration advantage of roughly 4.6 million more registered Democrats than Republicans.

The last Republican to serve as California governor was Arnold Schwarzenegger, who won reelection twenty years ago.

Democratic Primary Dynamics

The Democratic primary exposed notable challenges for the party. Several prominent potential candidates, including former Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, chose not to run. Without a dominant frontrunner, the field remained fragmented for much of the campaign period.

Former Representative Katie Porter gained early momentum before her campaign ended amid the release of controversial videos. Attention later turned to then-Representative Eric Swalwell, who entered the race in late 2025. His campaign concluded after reports of alleged sexual misconduct emerged. Swalwell denied the allegations but withdrew from the race and resigned from Congress.

Becerra, who previously served as California attorney general and as a member of Congress, positioned his campaign around government experience and leadership during crises. Critics focused on aspects of his record, including the federal response to the child migrant crisis and the mpox outbreak. He also faced questions after a former chief of staff pleaded guilty to fraud involving campaign funds, although Becerra was not accused of personal wrongdoing.

Supporters, including former White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain, stated that Becerra inherited challenging circumstances and worked diligently to address them.

Additional Races and Context

In the Los Angeles mayoral contest, Mayor Karen Bass has already advanced to the November ballot. The battle for second place between reality television personality Spencer Pratt and City Councilwoman Nithya Raman continues as additional ballots are processed.

For Democrats across California, Becerra’s advancement resolved one major source of uncertainty. Regardless of the final outcome for second place, Becerra will appear on the November ballot as the Democratic nominee for governor.

Spencer Pratt Bombshell Huge Update After Ballots Drop Overnight in LA Mayor Race

Los Angeles, California - June 9, 2026

Initial Republican Leads in California Primary Face Shifts as Late Ballots Continue to Be Processed

Following Tuesday’s primary elections, early vote tallies in key California races showed strong performances by Republican candidates. However, the state’s extended ballot-counting process has produced changes in preliminary results, raising questions about the pace and transparency of election administration.

In the Los Angeles mayoral race, right-leaning candidate Spencer Pratt held the top position after initial counts. The high-profile campaign had drawn considerable media attention and positioned Pratt as a notable contender.

In the gubernatorial primary, former television host Steve Hilton maintained a lead with approximately 28 percent of the vote. Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra followed at roughly 25 percent, while progressive billionaire Tom Steyer stood at about 20 percent, according to figures representing roughly 60 percent of the total vote as of Wednesday morning.

Extended Timeline for Ballot Counting

California’s election system is characterized by a prolonged counting period that often stretches several days or longer after polls close. This timeline stems largely from the volume of mail-in ballots, provisional ballots, and the detailed verification processes required before final tabulation.

Ballots postmarked by Election Day continue to arrive and be processed in the days following the vote. Observers have noted instances where additional batches of ballots, sometimes described as late mail-in drops, have altered early leads in certain contests.

In the Los Angeles mayoral race, the initial advantage held by Spencer Pratt has been subject to movement as overnight and subsequent ballot processing continues. Similar dynamics have appeared in other races, with some preliminary results showing shifts toward Democratic candidates.

Election officials attribute the extended timeline to the need for thorough signature verification, curing of ballots, and the high number of mail ballots typical in the state. They maintain that these steps are essential to ensure accuracy and compliance with state law.

Political Reactions and Broader Debate

The early leads by Pratt and Hilton generated optimism among some observers that California might be experiencing a shift in voter sentiment. The subsequent processing of late ballots and resulting changes in standings have prompted criticism from those who argue the system lacks sufficient speed and transparency.

Critics contend that the structure of ballot acceptance and counting creates opportunities for disproportionate influence on final outcomes. They point to patterns in which late-arriving ballots have historically produced swings favoring one side in past elections.

Supporters of the current process emphasize that all legally cast ballots must be counted and that delays are an unavoidable byproduct of safeguards designed to protect election integrity. They reject claims of systemic irregularities and stress that the system has withstood previous scrutiny.

The situation has intensified calls from some quarters for reforms aimed at accelerating results while preserving verification standards. As additional ballots are processed in the coming days, further adjustments to the standings in both the Los Angeles mayoral race and the gubernatorial primary remain possible.

The ongoing count continues to highlight long-standing debates over election administration in California, with participants on multiple sides offering differing assessments of the process’s strengths and vulnerabilities.

 

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