California Governor, LA Mayor Races Head To Primary with No Clear Leaders/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ California voters head into Tuesday’s primary election with no clear frontrunners in either the governor’s race or the Los Angeles mayoral contest. Republican Steve Hilton is battling to secure a spot in the governor’s race, while reality TV personality Spencer Pratt is mounting a surprise challenge to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Low voter turnout and crowded fields have created uncertainty in two of the state’s most closely watched political contests.
California Primary Elections Quick Looks
- California voters head to the polls Tuesday.
- No clear leader has emerged in the governor’s race.
- Steve Hilton is urging Republicans to unite behind his campaign.
- Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer lead a crowded Democratic field.
- Spencer Pratt is challenging Mayor Karen Bass in Los Angeles.
- Nithya Raman remains a strong contender in the mayoral race.
- Mail ballot returns remained relatively low before Election Day.
- Homelessness and wildfire recovery dominate LA politics.
- Cost of living remains a central issue statewide.
- More than 50 candidates are running for governor.
Deep Look
California Heads Into High-Stakes Primary Election
LOS ANGELES — California voters are preparing to cast ballots in one of the most unpredictable primary elections the state has seen in years, with both the governor’s race and Los Angeles mayoral contest lacking clear frontrunners.
The uncertainty has created opportunities for outsider candidates hoping to disrupt California’s long-standing Democratic political structure.
As voters head toward Tuesday’s primary, campaigns are making final appeals in races that could reshape the political landscape of the nation’s most populous state.
Steve Hilton Pushes For Republican Unity
The governor’s race has become increasingly competitive as former Fox News host and British political adviser Steve Hilton seeks to consolidate Republican support.
Hilton has warned that a divided Republican vote could produce an all-Democratic November election.
He is competing against Democratic contenders including:
Hilton argues that failing to place a Republican on the general-election ballot would weaken GOP turnout and hurt Republican candidates across California.
Chad Bianco Refuses To Exit Race
Hilton has specifically urged fellow Republican candidate Chad Bianco to withdraw and support a unified Republican effort.
Bianco rejected that suggestion.
“It’s clear that Steve Hilton supporters should unite and support me,” Bianco posted on social media.
The public exchange highlights growing tensions among Republicans as they compete for one of the limited spots available in California’s top-two primary system.
Democratic Field Remains Competitive
Democrats continue to dominate statewide politics, but competition within the party remains intense.
The leading Democratic candidates include:
- Xavier Becerra
- Tom Steyer
- Katie Porter
- Matt Mahan
With Gov. Gavin Newsom term-limited and unable to seek reelection, the race represents the first truly open gubernatorial contest in California in a generation.
Steyer Campaign Sees Tight Finish
Tom Steyer’s campaign remains optimistic despite the crowded field.
Campaign strategist Rebecca Katz compared the race to a close sporting event.
“It’s three candidates for two spots, every possession counts,” she said.
Steyer has spent heavily throughout the campaign, setting fundraising and spending records in an effort to secure a place in the November election.
Los Angeles Mayor’s Race Equally Uncertain
Meanwhile, the battle for Los Angeles City Hall remains highly competitive.
Mayor Karen Bass is seeking a second term but faces significant challenges after a difficult first term.
Her administration points to reductions in homelessness, but visible encampments and quality-of-life concerns continue to dominate public debate.
The aftermath of the devastating 2025 Palisades Fire also remains a major political issue.
Spencer Pratt Emerges As Surprise Challenger
Reality television personality Spencer Pratt has emerged as one of the most unexpected contenders in the race.
Known for appearing alongside his wife Heidi Montag on The Hills, Pratt has built an insurgent campaign centered on public frustration with city leadership.
“We can’t give up on LA,” Pratt told supporters.
“We’ve got to fight.”
Pratt lost his home in the Palisades Fire and has made recovery efforts a central theme of his campaign.
Nithya Raman Competes From The Left
Bass also faces a challenge from Nithya Raman, a progressive city council member running to the mayor’s left.
Raman’s candidacy has further complicated Bass’ reelection efforts by dividing support among Democratic voters.
The officially nonpartisan race has effectively become a contest between competing visions for the city’s future.
Polls Show No Clear Front-Runner
Recent polling indicates an exceptionally close race.
A survey conducted by the University of California, Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies and co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times found Bass, Pratt, and Raman clustered together.
No candidate held a statistically significant advantage.
The results suggest turnout and late-deciding voters could play a decisive role in determining who advances.
Voter Participation Remains Low
Election officials report relatively low participation heading into Election Day.
Although mail voting began in early May, only about 15% of registered voters had returned ballots by Sunday.
The low turnout has encouraged candidates across both races to continue aggressively campaigning through the final hours.
Many strategists believe late voters could dramatically alter the outcome.
Cost Of Living Dominates Governor’s Race
Economic concerns remain central to the statewide contest.
Hilton has focused heavily on California’s high:
- Gas prices
- Utility bills
- Taxes
- Housing costs
Meanwhile, Democratic candidates argue they can lower costs while continuing to challenge policies pursued by the Trump administration.
The debate reflects broader voter concerns about affordability in one of the nation’s most expensive states.
Los Angeles Faces Long-Term Challenges
In Los Angeles, candidates are addressing persistent concerns involving:
- Homelessness
- Public safety
- Housing affordability
- Infrastructure maintenance
- Economic development
The city continues recovering from pandemic-related disruptions while facing competition from other regions for entertainment industry jobs and investment.
Those issues have fueled voter frustration and created opportunities for challengers seeking change.
Primary Results Could Reshape California Politics
The outcomes of Tuesday’s primary elections will help determine the direction of California politics heading into November.
Whether voters choose experienced political figures, wealthy outsiders, or unconventional candidates, the results will offer important clues about public sentiment in a state that often influences national political trends.
With no clear leaders in either race, California’s political future remains very much up for grabs.
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