California goes to the polls
CUSD’s Richard S. Kirkendall Education Center. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo
On Tuesday, California voters decided who would advance to the November general election for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, controller, treasurer, attorney general, insurance commissioner, board of equalization for the third district, superintendent of public instruction, United States Representative for the 28th and 35th Congressional districts, State Assemblymember for District 41, and Los Angeles County Sheriff, among other races.
Here’s where they stood as of 10 a.m. Thursday:
With the top two vote-getters advancing to the November election, Trump-endorsed Republican candidate Steve Hilton leads the pack of nearly 60 vying for the state’s top job with approximately 28% of the votes at 1,421,466. Democrat Xavier Becerra is in second with 1,318,536 and 26%. Democrat Tom Steyer is in third, polling 20% at 1,019,332.
Republican candidate Gloria Romero and Democrat Fiona Ma are in a tight race for the second highest office in California. Romero has 20% with 946,671 votes, while Ma is at 19% with 911,093.
The Associated Press called the race for incumbent Democrat Shirley Weber, who garnered 54% of the votes at 2,648,812. Don Wagner, a Republican, came in second with 41% at 2,005,298.
Incumbent Malia Cohen, a Democrat, will face Republican challenger Herb Morgan in November. Cohen won 53%, 2,585,453 votes. Morgan received 42% and 2,038,244 votes.
Incumbent Rob Bonta, a Democrat, is due to face Republican challenger Michael Gates in November. Bonta won 53% with 2,601,875 votes, with Gates 43% with 2,097,416.
Superintendent of public instruction
Republican Chino Valley Unified school board President Sonja Shaw leads the pack with 25% of the vote at 1,069,343. Democrat Richard Barrera received 19% and 817,205 votes.
Democrat Eleni Kounalakis has tallied 34% of the count with 1,665,559 votes. Just behind her is Republican challenger Jennifer Hawks at 27% and 1,301,190.
Democrats Jane Kim has 1,140,336 votes, about 24%, and Ben Allen 920,814 and 19%.
Representative for Board of Equalization District 3
Democrat Mike Gipson has garnered 306,765 votes, about 26% of the count. Democrats Samuel Sukaton and Yvonne Yiu have15% and171,360, and 13% and 155,173 respectively.
U.S. Representative, 28th District
Incumbent Democrat Judy Chu got 68,876 votes, 59%, and will see Republican challenger April Verlato in November. Verlato received about 35% of the votes with 40,757.
U.S. Representative, 35th District
Incumbent Democrat Norma Torres will square off against Republican Mike Cargile in November. No other candidates were on the ballot.
State Assemblymember, 41st District
Incumbent Democrat John Harabedian and Republican challenger Adam Vena will be on the ballot in November.
Incumbent Sheriff Robert Luna holds a big lead over second place challenger and former LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva with 44% and 546,184 votes. Villanueva is at 296,512 and 24%.
Voters appear to have rejected LA County Measure ER, with 666,926 voting no, or 53%, and 597,748, 47%, in favor. The measure would have raised the county’s sales tax rate by a half-cent, from 9.75% to 10.25%, for five years to offset federal cuts to health departments and services.
For up-to-date state tallies check the Associated Press at apnews.com, search “California primary election results,” or Ballotpedia at ballotpedia.org/California_elections,_2026. For local races go to the LA County Registrar-Recorder’s office website at results.lavote.gov.










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