Overview
- A crowded June 2 jungle primary produced a November runoff between Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton after late mail ballots were counted.
- California’s mail‑ballot rules stretched final results into the week after Election Day because ballots postmarked by June 2 can arrive and be tallied days later.
- Billionaire Tom Steyer finished third with about 22.5 percent, conceded and urged his voters to back Becerra, prompting endorsements from Gov. Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris and Katie Porter.
- Hilton benefitted from President Trump’s endorsement and ran on tax cuts, deregulation and aggressive housing and homelessness measures, but he faces long odds given Democrats’ registration edge.
- Counties will finish tallies ahead of state certification by July 10, so final margins may shift slightly while the two advancing candidates and statewide coalitions begin preparing for the November contest.