California's primary counts are attracting national attention as Spencer Pratt loses momentum in the Los Angeles mayoral race while Tom Steyer trails Steve Hilton in the governor's contest. Xavier Becerra has already secured one of the November spots. Late-counted mail ballots are shifting percentages: Karen Bass leads in L.A., Nithya Raman is closing on Pratt, and state counts show Hilton narrowly ahead of Steyer. Election officials say slower tallies reflect the volume of mail ballots; claims of fraud have been made without evidence.
Can Spencer Pratt and Tom Steyer Clear California Primary Hurdles? Latest Results and What They Mean
Spencer Pratt, on a May 28 episode of "Fox & Friends," is awaiting his fate in the Los Angeles mayoral race.
Election returns from California's primary contests are drawing national attention as former reality TV figure Spencer Pratt appears to be losing momentum in the Los Angeles mayoral contest while Democratic billionaire Tom Steyer trails Republican strategist Steve Hilton in the race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom. Xavier Becerra, the former U.S. health secretary, has already secured a spot on the November ballot and will face whichever challenger finishes among the top two in the jungle primary.
Los Angeles Councilmember Nithya Raman joined by her family arrives to speaks to members of the media after voting in the state's primary election at Silverlake Community Church in Los Angeles, California, on June 2, 2026.(PATRICK T. FALLON, AFP via Getty Images)
Ballot counting continues as leads shift
California's "top-two" or "jungle" primary system — in which the two highest vote-getters advance to the general election regardless of party — has produced close, closely watched results in both the Los Angeles mayoral and gubernatorial races. County and state officials emphasized that counting will take time because of the state's large volume of mail ballots.
Los Angeles Councilmember Nithya Raman votes in the state's primary election at Silverlake Community Church in Los Angeles, California, on June 2, 2026.(PATRICK T. FALLON, AFP via Getty Images)
In Los Angeles, incumbent Mayor Karen Bass has maintained a lead, but the contest for the second spot remains competitive. Recent tallies show Bass with roughly 34.81% of counted votes, Spencer Pratt around 27.32% and City Councilwoman Nithya Raman closing at about 26.21%. Those figures reflect a swing since an earlier report (June 5) when the county listed Pratt at 28.24% and Raman at 24.89% — a sign of how late-counted ballots can shift standings.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass speaks with a diner during a campaign event at Pann’s Restaurant ahead of the primary election in Los Angeles, California, June 1, 2026.(Daniel Cole, REUTERS)
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk reported that it processed 156,965 ballots on June 6, bringing the office's total processed ballots to 1,774,846, or about 30.12% of registered voters.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass sits down at a table with diners during a campaign event at Pann’s Restaurant ahead of the primary election in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 1, 2026.(Daniel Cole, REUTERS)
Governor's race: Hilton holds narrow lead over Steyer
Statewide, former U.S. health secretary Xavier Becerra has already clinched one of the November spots. The contest to join him has seen British-born Republican strategist Steve Hilton holding a slim lead over Democrat Tom Steyer. Recent counts show Hilton at about 26.1% (down slightly from 26.4% the previous day) while Steyer edged up to roughly 21.3% (from 21.1%), according to the California Secretary of State.
Reality TV personality Spencer Pratt serves a supporter a soft serve ice cream during a community event as he campaigns for mayor of Los Angeles before the upcoming primary election in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 31, 2026.(Daniel Cole, REUTERS)
Context and notable developments
The gubernatorial field has drawn national interest: former Vice President Kamala Harris opted not to run, stoking speculation about future national ambitions; Sen. Alex Padilla declined to enter the race; and former Rep. Eric Swalwell resigned on April 14 amid sexual misconduct allegations and withdrew from the contest.
Supporters gather ahead of a community event held by reality TV personality Spencer Pratt as he campaigns for mayor of Los Angeles before the upcoming primary election in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 31, 2026.(Daniel Cole, REUTERS)
On the campaign trail, viral moments and social posts have added color: Rep. Katie Porter turned a leaked confrontational video into campaign material, and Pratt has leaned on his reality-TV profile as part of his campaign narrative. Pratt also posted a meme on June 6 casting doubt on Los Angeles' vote-counting process, writing: "Me trying to figure out how votes get counted in LA."
Councilwoman Nithya Raman, seen at her polling place June 2, is closing in on reality TV alum Spencer Pratt.
Claims and election officials' response
Former President Donald Trump, who endorsed Hilton over other Republican contenders, criticized the speed of counting in posts on his Truth Social platform and alleged — without evidence — that Democrats were "stealing the vote." Election officials reiterated that delays are procedural and largely due to the high number of mail-in ballots that must be verified and tallied.
Steve Hilton, pictured at his primary night event June 2, is Republicans' best hope to avoid a shutout in the race to replace Gavin Newsom.
The bottom line: Ballot counting in California is ongoing and can shift outcomes as late-arriving mail ballots are processed. Xavier Becerra is already set for November, while closely watched battles in Los Angeles and across the state remain unsettled.
Billionaire businessman Tom Steyer, pictured at his election night watch party June 2, could face Biden cabinet secretary Xavier Becerra.
Contributing: Terry Collins, Paris Barazza
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: "Are Spencer Pratt, Tom Steyer losing ground? CA race updates."
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