California’s Crowded Gubernatorial Primary: A Race at the Edge of a Jungle System

California’s June 2 top-two primary will determine the two candidates who advance to the November runoff for governor. Mail-in ballots began arriving May 4, and early voting opened May 5. Although 61 candidates appear on the ballot, seven have qualified for televised debates.

The Press Democrat

Since 2012 the state uses a “jungle” primary: all candidates appear on a single ballot and the top two move on, regardless of party. The design was intended to reward centrist candidates but can produce two nominees from the same party.

TruthOut

Key contenders include Democrat Xavier Becerra, former HHS secretary and former California Attorney General; Republican Steve Hilton, former Fox News host endorsed by Donald Trump; Republican Sheriff Chad Bianco; Democrat billionaire Tom Steyer; Democrat former congresswoman Katie Porter; Democrat San Jose mayor Matt Mahan; and Democrat former Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Incumbent Gov. Gavin Newsom is term-limited.

NBC Los AngelesCNNCNNKCRA 3The Press DemocratTruthOutDesert SunOrange County RegisterKXTV - Sacramento News

The California Democratic Party’s EVITARUS poll (1,200 likely voters, ±2.83 pp) shows Becerra and Hilton tied at 18 percent, Bianco 14, Steyer 12, Porter 8, Mahan 7, Villaraigosa 2, with 14 percent undecided. ABC10 reports the same tie and Bianco 14 percent. CBS/YouGov places Hilton 16, Steyer 15, Becerra 13, Bianco 10, Porter 9, Mahan 4. Survey USA finds Hilton 20, Steyer 18, Bianco 12, Becerra 10. Undecided voters fell from 24 percent in March to 14 percent.

The Press Democrat

California Democratic Party chair Rusty Hicks urged lower-polling Democrats to withdraw to avoid a Republican-only runoff. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy called the race “a perfect opportunity” for GOP candidates. Becerra linked Hilton to former President Donald Trump, while Hilton warned that California cannot continue its current fiscal trajectory. Both parties stress voter turnout amid historically low primary participation.

CNN

Mindy Romero of the Center for Inclusive Democracy warned primary voters are “whiter, wealthier, older, more partisan,” potentially skewing outcomes. Analyst Paul Mitchell noted limited Democratic donor pools and the risk a split Democratic field could hand both top spots to Republicans. Critics argue the jungle primary undermines party representation.

Sacramento Bee

Polls differ on Hilton and Becerra, ranging from a 16-percent lead for Hilton (CBS/YouGov) to an 18-percent tie (EVITARUS, ABC10). Margin-of-error ranges (±2.8 pp to ±4.1 pp) leave the order uncertain. No poll yet captures post-debate shifts.

The Press Democrat

• “Steve Hilton’s daddy” — Xavier Becerra, former HHS secretary

CNN

• “We need someone who’s going to fight Donald Trump,” — Xavier Becerra

CNN

• “worse than my teenagers at dinner.” — Katie Porter, former Rep.

CNN

• “We don't need a billionaire who made his money in private prison and oil and gas that he's now supposedly against,” — Matt Mahan, San Jose mayor

Desert Sun

• “We cannot keep going in this direction,” — Steve Hilton, former Fox News host

CNN

Debates continue with CNN on May 5 and NBC/Telemundo on May 6. Voter-registration closes May 18; vote-center voting begins May 23. The June 2 primary will select the top two, who will face off on November 3. Campaigns are intensifying fundraising and outreach as the field narrows.

The Press Democrat