Overview
- Decision Desk HQ projected on June 9 that Republican Steve Hilton will advance to the November general election against Democrat Xavier Becerra after California’s top-two primary.
- Election-night leads flipped as counties processed late-arriving mail ballots and completed signature checks, a multi-step count that produced days of shifting tallies and close margins.
- Billionaire Tom Steyer finished third and will not advance, while local late returns also moved Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman into a runoff against Mayor Karen Bass.
- The race was shaped by high-profile developments including President Trump’s endorsement of Hilton, Rep. Eric Swalwell’s withdrawal after resurfaced allegations, and Rivers ide County Sheriff Chad Bianco remaining on the ballot and drawing conservative votes.
- California’s top-two system lets the top two vote-getters advance regardless of party and the extended mail-ballot rules that allow late receipt explain why final totals changed over several days, a process that may affect campaign messages, fundraising and turnout ahead of November.