Updated: June 3, 2026 | Live Results — Votes Still Being Counted
The Race That Has All of America Watching
California Primary Election Results 2026. On June 2, 2026, millions of Californians cast their ballots in one of the most unpredictable, consequential, and closely watched gubernatorial primary elections in the state’s modern history. With longtime incumbent Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom term-limited and unable to seek a third term, the race to become California’s 41st governor is wide open — and the results pouring in tonight are delivering real drama.
Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host, and former health secretary Xavier Becerra, a Democrat who emerged late in the campaign as a frontrunner, led a crowded field in early returns. This is not the California race anyone expected six months ago — and that’s exactly what makes it historic. The Washington Post
Live Results: Who Is Winning the California Governor Race?
Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton were leading in the race for California governor in early returns Tuesday night, a nailbiter befitting the most unsettled gubernatorial race in recent memory. The two were neck-and-neck after about 4.8 million ballots, or about 55% of the votes, were counted statewide. It could be days or weeks before votes are completely tallied. CalMatters
Here is where things stand based on early vote counts:
- Steve Hilton (R): ~26.7%
- Xavier Becerra (D): ~25.8%
- Tom Steyer (D): ~19.6%
Former Rep. Katie Porter conceded tonight and confirmed she will not advance to the two-candidate runoff for California governor. “The votes are still being counted and it may take a few days here in California to have final numbers, but we know tonight that we will not advance to the general election in November,” she said in a video statement. CNN
What does this mean? Under California’s nonpartisan top-two primary system, all candidates for the same elected office, regardless of party, run against each other at once. The candidates receiving the most and second-most votes advance to the general election in November. So the critical question tonight is not just who finishes first — but who finishes second. Wikipedia
California’s “Top-Two” Primary System Explained
Many voters across the country are asking: what is a primary election, and how does California’s work?
California uses a statewide nonpartisan top-two primary system. There are 61 candidates on the ballot. California is heavily Democratic; Republicans have not won a statewide race in California since 2006. However, the fragmented Democratic field in this year’s top-two primary could allow two Republicans to advance to the general election. The California Democratic Party urged low-polling candidates to drop out to prevent this outcome. Wikipedia
That Democratic nightmare scenario — two Republicans advancing — did not appear to materialize based on early results, with Becerra holding a strong position. But the second slot is still genuinely in play.
The Top Candidates: Who Are They?
Xavier Becerra (Democrat) — Early Leader
Becerra, the former state attorney general and U.S. health secretary in the Biden administration, has promised to fight President Donald Trump and freeze insurance and utility rates. He surged to become the Democratic establishment’s favorite after former Rep. Eric Swalwell dropped out of the race over sexual assault allegations. CalMatters
His election night event drew notable supporters. Labor rights leader Dolores Huerta showed her support for Becerra during his primary election night event. “I wanted to be here and get to celebrate this moment because we’re so excited at the possibility Xavier Becerra will be on the ballot for the next governor of California,” the 96-year-old told CNN. CNN
Steve Hilton (Republican) — Neck-and-Neck at the Top
Who is Steve Hilton? Hilton is a Trump-endorsed former Fox News host who has vowed to cut income taxes, slash environmental regulations, and boost oil drilling. He consolidated support from many of the state’s conservatives. CalMatters
Hilton’s surge was building for months. Pollsters noted that “the Republican electorate in California is split between Steve Hilton at 38% and Chad Bianco at 37%, while Hilton also picks up a plurality of independent voters at 22%.” yahoo
Tom Steyer (Democrat) — Fighting for Second
Billionaire investor and climate activist Tom Steyer entered this race as a top-tier contender and spent heavily throughout the campaign. With just under half of the vote in, Steyer had about 19.6% support, trailing leading rivals Becerra and Hilton. Whether his numbers improve as more ballots — especially mail-in and late ballots, which historically trend more Democratic — are counted remains the central drama of the night. CNN
The Race for Second Place: Too Close to Call
Democratic former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra is in strong position to get one of the two slots in the November election given how votes counted after Election Day in California are typically more Democratic. The other slot is likely to go either to Republican former Fox News host Steve Hilton or Democratic billionaire investor Tom Steyer. ABC7
This matters enormously. The seat is considered a shoo-in in November for Democrats, who have nearly twice as many registered voters as Republicans, and holds national importance for the Democratic Party’s pushback to the Trump administration. CalMatters
If Steyer is able to close the gap as late ballots are counted, the November matchup becomes a Democrat-vs.-Democrat race — widely seen as the more favorable outcome for the party. If Hilton holds on, it becomes a competitive general election that will be watched by the entire country.
What Happens Next: When Will Final Results Be Known?
This is a critical question for every California voter searching for results tonight. The answer: not tonight, and possibly not for weeks.
The expected vote is the total number of votes that are expected in a given race once all votes are counted. This number is an estimate based on several different factors, including information on the number of votes cast early as well as information provided to vote reporters on Election Day from county election officials. NBC News
California’s mail-in ballot system means hundreds of thousands of votes postmarked by Election Day can still arrive and be counted in the days that follow. In past California elections, final results have taken up to three weeks. Voters should not be surprised if the race for second place — and therefore who advances to November — remains unresolved for several days.
The Broader Stakes: Why This Election Matters
California and the National Political Landscape
The governor’s race is not the only thing on the ballot. Californians also chose candidates in U.S. House races that will help shape which party controls Congress during President Trump’s final two years in office. The ballot includes a roster of other statewide offices — lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, controller, treasurer, superintendent of public instruction, insurance commissioner, and members of the Board of Equalization — as well as picks for California’s Assembly and Senate. CalMatters
All of California’s 52 seats in the United States House of Representatives are up for election to two-year terms, using redrawn district maps under the voter-approved 2025 California Proposition 50. Wikipedia
The Democratic Party’s Internal Test
This primary was, at its core, also a test of the California Democratic Party’s ability to consolidate behind a single candidate. For months, party leaders sounded the alarm. California Democrats faced a nightmarish scenario as internal polling showed two Republicans potentially leading the field. “Democrats have to do something,” said Larry Geraston, professor emeritus of political science at San José State University. aol
The fact that Becerra is now leading suggests that late consolidation around his candidacy worked — at least partially.
Key Takeaways for Voters
- Steve Hilton (R) and Xavier Becerra (D) are leading with roughly 55% of votes counted.
- Tom Steyer (D) is in third and could still close the gap as later, more Democratic-leaning ballots are counted.
- Katie Porter has conceded and will not advance.
- Final results could take days to weeks — California’s mail ballot counting process is thorough but slow.
- The general election is November 3, 2026 — the top two finishers from tonight’s primary will face off then.
- Becerra is currently favored to advance to November; the second slot is genuinely uncertain.
Where to Follow Live Results
For continuously updated vote counts by county and candidate, follow live results from the California Secretary of State’s official website, CalMatters, the Associated Press, and NBC News. Results will update throughout the night and into the coming days.
This article reflects results as of early June 3, 2026, with approximately 55% of expected votes counted. Results are preliminary and subject to change as mail ballots and provisional ballots continue to be tallied across all 58 California counties.
