Election 2026 updates: Latest on race for California governor and more

John Sileo, a 65-year-old business owner, said he voted for candidates who would put a check on Trump and also California's liberal government.

The self-described moderate Republican said he never liked Trump and voted for Democrat Joe Kerr for Congress rather than the two Republican contenders.

"Trump has a monopoly now and you've got to at least turn the House," he said outside a vote center in Orange.

Sileo said he refused to vote for Steve Hilton for California's governor because he is backed by Trump, and wouldn't vote for Xavier Becerra because he sees him as a continuation of Democrats' policies in the state.

"I voted for Tom Steyer because at least he's a disruptor," he said. "He was the best of poor choices."

Ronald Reagan. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Jerry Brown. Gavin Newsom.

The governor's office in California typically attracts some of the highest-wattage names in politics, but not this year.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris and Sen. Alex Padilla took a pass on the race. And with Newsom barred from seeking a third term, the campaign to succeed him turned into a sprawling, often messy contest.

In the final stretch, much of the attention has focused on Democrats Xavier Becerra, the former congressman and state attorney general who was also health secretary under President Joe Biden, and Tom Steyer, a billionaire known for his climate activism. Republican Steve Hilton is campaigning with Trump's endorsement.

Under California's primary system, all candidates appear on a single ballot and the top two finishers advance to the November general election, regardless of party. The absence of a front-runner incentivized virtually anyone with political ambition and a modicum of organization to join the race, leaving Democrats worried that their candidates would divide the vote and ultimately be shut out of the fall campaign. But those fears have eased in the primary's closing weeks, with the party now expecting to secure at least one slot on the November ballot.

The results could offer insight about how voters are feeling in a state where Democrats have dominated statewide elections for two decades.

California District 22 candidate Dr. Jasmeet Bains has canceled her election night event due to the ongoing hostage situation in Downtown Bakersfield.

In a statement, she says:

"I am in active communication with local law enforcement. Members of the public should continue to avoid downtown Bakersfield at this time. My thoughts are with all of the families impacted by this concerning situation. I remain thankful to the emergency personnel who risk their own well-being for the safety of our community. First responders run toward danger to keep our community safe. Thank you to these brave men and women. Out of an abundance of caution, and to avoid creating a large gathering of people in close proximity to this incident, we will no longer hold an in-person event in downtown."

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Candidates in California's crowded gubernatorial race made a final push for votes Tuesday, as three leading contenders sought to distinguish themselves in a closely watched primary.

Tom Steyer and Xavier Becerra made last-minute campaign stops in SoCal in a final push for California governor. Meanwhile, Steve Hilton asked Chad Bianco to drop out of the race.

Supporters shook hands and rallied voters as polling opened, underscoring the urgency of an election.

"There are really only three people for two spots," billionaire businessman Tom Steyer said.

Steyer, who has poured more than $200 million of his personal fortune into the race, campaigned Tuesday morning along Los Angeles' new D-Line extension, greeting riders and emphasizing his campaign message.

"I've been trying really hard to work for California people, taking no money from corporations. They're spending tens of millions of dollars against me, but I recognize that the people can't afford to live here anymore," he said.

Steyer, polling in third place, is attempting to overtake Republican Steve Hilton, who is working to consolidate conservative voters and prevent two Democrats from advancing to the November election.

California has not had a Republican governor in 15 years after former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger left office in 2011.

"People are done with all the taxes and chaos and the crime and the homeless, the high cost of gas and the high cost of housing," he said. "It's obvious we need change in California, and this is our moment to get it."

Both candidates remain behind former state Attorney General and Biden cabinet member Xavier Becerra, who has made fewer public appearances in recent days but continues to campaign on addressing the state's housing crisis.

"On my first day as governor, I will declare California's housing shortage a state of emergency," he said. "No more studies, no more task forces. We have homes to build right now."

The gubernatorial primary has surpassed $315 million in ad spending and reservations, according to AdImpact, making it the most expensive governor's race on record.