Story perspectives

Becerra Leads CA Governor Primary; Steyer Fuels Record Ad Spend

6/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

Xavier Becerra, former HHS secretary, surged to the top of the California gubernatorial primary, holding roughly 26.7% of the vote as about 66-72% of the 23 million ballots were counted.
California’s top-two primary and universal mail-in voting keep the second slot undecided and delay certification until early July.
The contest is the most expensive gubernatorial race in state history, with $327.6 million in advertising, 63% of which was spent by Tom Steyer.

History

Historical Context

California’s current top-two primary stems from Proposition 14, approved by voters in June 2010 with about 54 % support, which replaced the earlier blanket primary ruled unconstitutional in 2000. The reform forces all candidates for statewide offices, including the governor, to compete on a single ballot, a structure that now frames the 2024 gubernatorial primary in which former HHS secretary Xavier Becerra leads.

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Story summary

Xavier Becerra, former HHS secretary, surged to the top of the California gubernatorial primary, holding roughly 26.7% of the vote as about 66-72% of the 23 million ballots were counted.
California’s top-two primary and universal mail-in voting keep the second slot undecided and delay certification until early July.
The contest is the most expensive gubernatorial race in state history, with $327.6 million in advertising, 63% of which was spent by Tom Steyer.

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