Takeaways from the primary elections in California, Iowa, Los Angeles, South Dakota

Key Points:

• Six states, including California and New Jersey, held primaries Tuesday night, with California's results expected to take time due to late poll closings and slow vote counting.
• In California's governor race, Democrat Xavier Becerra is positioned to secure one of the November election slots, while the other is likely between Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Tom Steyer; the race for Los Angeles mayor remains too close to call between Democrat Karen Bass and progressive Nithya Raman.
• In Iowa, Democrat Josh Turek won the Senate primary decisively, overcoming opposition tied to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and will face Republican Ashley Hinson in a race that Democrats now see as more competitive.
• Trump-endorsed candidate Randy Feenstra lost the Iowa governor's primary to businessman Zach Lahn, marking the first statewide Trump endorsee defeat in 2026, with Lahn set to face Democrat Rob Sand in the general election.
• In Montana, Democrat Alani Bankhead won the Senate nomination, raising hopes that independent Seth Bodnar may become the main challenger to Republican Kurt Alme, while in South Dakota, incumbent Governor Larry Rhoden faces a potential runoff after trailing in a crowded primary field.