After roughly a week of ballot counting, former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra (D) and Republican Steve Hilton advanced to the November gubernatorial runoff, while Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Councilwoman Nithya Raman will face each other in the city's November mayoral runoff. California's nonpartisan "jungle primary" advances the top two vote-getters regardless of party, and officials say certification of results is scheduled for June 26. Mail-in ballots have extended counting times across the state.
Becerra vs. Hilton — and Bass vs. Raman: California’s Major Races Head to November Showdowns
Camarillo resident Sara Cruz, center, votes as her children surround her at the Camarillo Library on June 2, 2026. She cast her ballot in the California primary election.
After about a week of counting ballots, the top two finishers in California's gubernatorial and Los Angeles mayoral contests have emerged and will face off in November. The results reflect the state's high volume of mail-in voting and its nonpartisan "jungle primary" system, which advances the two highest vote-getters to the general election regardless of party.
9: Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra attends a meet and greet campaign event at Mercado La Paloma on June 9, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
What Happened
California voters are set for two high-profile midterm runoffs. Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra (D) and Republican strategist Steve Hilton finished first and second in the crowded gubernatorial primary and will advance to the November general election. In Los Angeles, incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilwoman Nithya Raman secured the top two spots and will compete in the city's November mayoral runoff.
California Republican Gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton waves to supporters at his primary night event on June 2, 2026 in Huntington Beach, California. Hilton is in a tight race with Democratic candidates Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer.
Gubernatorial Race: Becerra And Hilton Advance
As of the morning of June 10, the California Secretary of State reported that Xavier Becerra had received more than 2.39 million votes and Steve Hilton more than 2.13 million. Billionaire Tom Steyer trailed in third with roughly 1.92 million votes. With Gov. Gavin Newsom term-limited from seeking another term, this November's contest will determine his successor.
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.
Los Angeles Mayoral Race: Bass Will Face Raman
Los Angeles County results on June 10 showed Mayor Karen Bass with more than 290,000 votes and Councilwoman Nithya Raman with over 245,000. Both are Democrats, but Raman has run to Bass's left as a progressive challenger. Early returns briefly put Republican former reality TV personality Spencer Pratt in second place, but he fell behind as more ballots were counted.
Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass at NBA Cares Legacy Project Dedication at the Weingart YMCA.
Why Counting Takes Time
California election officials note that tallying often takes longer than in some other states because of the prevalence of mail-in ballots, which are counted as they arrive and must be verified. Officials expect to certify the primary election results on June 26.
Bottom Line: The state's jungle primary system produced two interparty contests — Becerra vs. Hilton for governor and Bass vs. Raman for Los Angeles mayor — setting up competitive fall races.
Reporting by Natalie Neysa Alund for USA TODAY.
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