California Governor Primary Draws Crowded Field as Statewide Elections Heat Up

California voters will choose their next governor in a June 2 primary that features eight front‑runners, including former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, billionaire activist Tom Steyer, former Fox News host Steve Hilton, former HHS secretary Xavier Becerra, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, Education Superintendent Tony Thurmond, former Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. Early exits by Rep. Eric Swalwell and former State Controller Betty Yee have intensified competition, and Steyer has already spent $132 million on his campaign.

In Los Angeles, incumbent Mayor Karen Bass faces renewed scrutiny amid fraud allegations resurfacing during the 2026 mayoral primary. Social‑media videos claim payments were made to unhoused residents for votes, and a late batch of mail ballots showing a surge for Bass sparked statistical questions, which officials dismissed as routine reporting. Bass denied the claims, and the city’s attorney called the narrative disinformation. Adding to the controversy, former fire chief Kristin Crowley has filed a second defamation lawsuit accusing Bass of false statements about the 2025 Palisades Fire and the handling of LAFD resources.