DemDaily: Tuesday’s Six State Primaries: California and Updates!
June 4, 2025
Six states went to the polls Tuesday to pick their party's nominee in consequential primary contests in California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota.
The results of several races in California, however, may not be known for weeks. Under California's unique primary system, voters send the top two vote-getters to November's general election, regardless of candidates' political parties.
As an all-mail vote state, ballots are valid as long as they’re postmarked by Election Day and arrive at county elections offices within seven days of the election. Results will be certified no later than July 10, 2026.
| See: DemDaily: Tuesday’s Election Results! All Six State Primaries. CA, IA, MT, NJ, NM, SD 6/3/26 |
CALIFORNIA
Primary Elections: Governor, Lt. Governor, State Executive Offices, US House, Congress Special Election, State Senate, State House, Municipal
Governor: In the country's largest electoral state, where sixty-one candidates vied to succeed term-limited Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, former State Attorney General and Biden Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra and former Fox News personality Steve Hilton (R) advance to the general election.
With 59% of the vote counted, Hilton had secured 27.5%, Becerra 26%, and former 2020 presidential candidate Tom Steyer 20.2% -- enough of a distance to call the top two. Steyer, a billionaire financier, invested $213 million of his own fortune in the race.
Lt. Governor: In the open primary to succeed term-limited Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis (D), former California State Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero (R/19.74%) and State Treasurer Fiona Ma (D/19.13%) advance to the general election. California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday came in at 13.63%, Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs at 11.2%, and the remaining 12 contenders under 7.7%.
Attorney General: Incumbent Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta (52.8%) and former Deputy Assistant AG for Civil Rights in Trump's DOJ Michael Gates (42.4%) advanced to the general election
Mayoral: Former Congresswoman and first-term Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (35%) and former reality TV star Spencer Pratt (29.9%), a Republican, advance to the November election. LA City Council member Nithya Raman, a Democratic Socialists of America member, secured 22.8% (@62% of the vote counted).
US House: Democrats hold 43 of California's 52 US House congressional districts, including one vacant seat. The GOP holds ten seats, including one vacancy and one Independent who caucuses with the Republicans.
In a counteroffensive to Trump's unprecedented mid-decade redistricting war, Golden State voters last November approved their own redistricting plan, Prop 50, that favors five new Democratic seats.
The Primary Highlights
CD-1: General: James Gallagher (R) 47.2% v. Mike McGuire (D) 37.4%
CD-1: Special Election: Gallagher won the concurrent special election (61.9%) to immediately fill the remainder of the term of the late GOP Congressman Doug LaMalfa.
CD-3: Robb Tucker (R) 34.3% v. Incumbent Ami Bera (D) 33.0%. Bera switched from his previous 6th CD to run in the 3rd after redistricting.
CD-6: At 48% of the vote counted, Congressman Kevin Kiley, a Republican turned Independent, leads with 26.8%. Republican Michael Stansfield (22.2%) and Democrat Richard Pan (21.2%), and four other contenders. Uncalled
CD-7: Eleven-term incumbent Doris Matsui (D) leads five challengers with 30.2%, followed by Zachariah Wooden (R) with 24.7% and Mai Vang (D) at 24.5% (@50% of the vote counted). Uncalled
| Pelosi's Seat CD-11: In the race to succeed retiring Congresswoman and former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, State Senator Scott Wiener (41.3%) and San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan (28.6%), both Democrats, are advancing to the general election. Climate policy advocate Saikat Chakrabarti (D) secured 14.9%, with eight other contenders coming in under 5.7% (@47% of vote counted). Wiener received the endorsement of the California Democratic Party at its convention in February, and Chan received Pelosi's endorsement May 18 -- setting up an expensive and high-profile intra-party battle. |
CD-14 General: Democrat Aisha Wahab holds a strong lead over eight primary opponents with 34.3%, while Democrat Melissa Hernandez (16.1%) and Republican Wendy Huang (16%) are locked in a near-tie for second place (@47% counted). Uncalled
The special election primary for the 14th Congressional District to fill the remainder of the term of former Congressman Eric Swalwell, who resigned April 14, will now take place on June 16. The general election will be held August 18, 2026.
CD-22: Incumbent David Valadao (R) 44.2% v. Randy Vellegas (D) 29.7%. TossUp
CD-27: Jason Gibbs (R) 44.9% v. Incumbent George Whitesides (D) 38.4%.
CD-29: Incumbent Democrat Luz Maria Rivas leads comfortably with 50.2%, while Republican Rudy Melendez (28%) and Democrat Angélica María Dueñas (21.9%) are still vying for second place (@65% counted). Uncalled
CD-41: Incumbent Linda Sánchez (D) 37.9% v. Mitch Clemmons (R) 38.9%
CD-48: In the seat to replace retiring GOP Congressman Darrell Issa, Republican County Supervisor Jim Desmond 40.98% and San Diego councilwoman Marni von Wilpert (D) 20.3% advance to the general.
| See: DemDaily: Tuesday’s Election Results! All Six State Primaries. CA, IA, MT, NJ, NM, SD 6/3/26 |
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Sources: CaliforniaMatters, The Guardian, Morning Call, Politico, The Hill, NPR, New York Times, AP, State Papers
