Republican candidates Steve Hilton and Spencer Pratt showed strong preliminary results in California's primary elections on June 2, 2026 [1].
These early tallies indicate a potential shift in the political landscape for both the state's highest office and the leadership of its largest city. The results suggest a competitive environment as the candidates move toward the general election.
In the race for governor, Steve Hilton (R-CA) currently holds the leading position based on early returns [2]. The vote count continues as precincts report their final numbers, but Hilton remains the frontrunner in the preliminary data [2].
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles mayoral race shows Karen Bass in the lead, with Spencer Pratt (R-CA) currently in second place [3]. While some early reporting indicated a tight race between the two candidates, more recent updates suggest Bass is advancing ahead of Pratt [3].
Election officials are continuing to process ballots from across the state. The preliminary nature of these results means the final standings could shift as more votes are tallied from various counties, and districts.
Both Hilton and Pratt are running as Republicans in a state that has historically trended Democratic. Their current positions in these races mark a significant moment for the party's visibility in California's executive contests.
“Steve Hilton (R-CA) currently holds the leading position based on early returns”
The preliminary success of Steve Hilton and Spencer Pratt indicates a surge of Republican momentum in heavily Democratic strongholds. If these leads hold, it could signal a shift in voter priorities within California, potentially forcing Democratic candidates to pivot their platforms to address the specific appeals of these Republican challengers in the general election.
