Top takeaways from California’s 2026 primary elections

Key Points:

• California's primary elections saw about half of the ballots counted Tuesday evening, with key races including governor, congressional seats, and statewide offices still too close to call officially due to slow vote counting.
• In the governor's race, Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra led with 26% and 27% respectively, while Democrat Tom Steyer trailed at 20%; the top two will advance to the November general election.
• A notable dynamic in several races is the tension between establishment Democrats like Becerra and progressive populists like Steyer, reflecting a broader debate over the party's direction in California.
• In congressional races, candidates such as Rep. Doris Matsui and Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains (establishment Democrats) face progressive challengers, highlighting intra-party competition ahead of November's elections.
• Early results show opposition to Measure V in Davis, a housing development proposal, with 53% voting against it amid concerns about traffic and affordable housing, despite support from local government bodies and developer-backed campaigns.