Scandals, Fumbles, And Millions: California’s Wild Primary Ends Today

All eyes turn to California on Tuesday as voters weigh the political future of Los Angeles Democratic Mayor Karen Bass and choose two finalists who will compete to succeed Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, a potential 2028 presidential candidate. 

Election Day marks the end of a rollercoaster primary season defined by wild twists and turns, scandals, and viral fumbles. 

The contest started with an unusually crowded and wide-open field after former Vice President Kamala Harris turned down the opportunity to lead the Golden State. Political analysts believed Democrats would have cleared the field as a goodwill gesture following her wipeout defeat against President Donald Trump.  

One by one, Republicans and Democrats threw their hats into the ring, including Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco, plus Democrats Tom Steyer, Eric Swalwell, Katie Porter, Xavier Becerra, Matt Mahan, Antonio Villaraigosa, Betty Yee, Tony Thurmond, and several others. 

The first major shakeup came when a leaked viral video showed former Rep. Porter (D-CA) berating a congressional staffer, a controversy that has significantly set back her campaign.

“Get out of my f*cking shot,” Porter shouted at a staff member when making a video message for the Biden administration. The leftist, who made a name for herself by grilling billionaires with her whiteboard in Congress, has failed to catch any momentum since. 

“GET OUT OF MY FUCKING SHOT!”

Video shows Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) chastising staffer in newly leaked video

pic.twitter.com/COKJSv3yQ7

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) October 8, 2025

Eric Swalwell, the former Bay Area congressman, capitalized on Porter’s collapse in the polls. He quickly amassed key Democratic endorsements and was widely viewed as the race’s frontrunner.

But his hopes to lead California came crashing down following explosive allegations of sexual harassment and assault. Multiple campaign staffers accused their boss of sending sexually explicit social media messages and inappropriate behavior beyond the halls of Congress. Days later, he dropped his gubernatorial bid and resigned from Congress ahead of an expected expulsion vote. A fifth woman then accused Swalwell of rape in 2018, alleging the lawmaker drugged and raped her in Southern California. 

I am suspending my campaign for Governor.

To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past.

I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.

— Eric Swalwell (@ericswalwell) April 13, 2026

As polling showed Republicans could lock out Democrats, blue voters have appeared to consolidate behind two candidates: Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and billionaire Tom Steyer, who has poured nearly $200 million of his own money into the race, according to the Associated Press. 

Dan Schnur, who teaches political communications at USC and UC Berkeley, said Left-leaning voters appear spooked by the Swalwell scandal. 

“Becerra is this year’s version of the Biden 2020 campaign. He is a stable, reassuring presence, and that seems to have attracted voters, Democratic voters who are worried about less familiar objects,” Schnur told The Daily Wire. “Eric Swalwell was, it was a near-death experience for California Democrats.”

Biden’s former HHS chief went viral for demanding a glowing profile from a local television reporter.

Awkward moment kicks off KTLA interview with Xavier Becerra. @CaliforniaICP Full report: https://t.co/UcMXzidzrf pic.twitter.com/OViYkfTg3t

— KTLA (@KTLA) May 12, 2026

Trump-endorsed Steve Hilton, a businessman and former Fox News host, has consolidated much of the Republican vote. However, Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco still has a durable base of about 9-12%, according to most polls. 

Under California’s “jungle primary” system, the top two vote-getters advance to the general election in November regardless of party.

“What he needs more than anything else is for Bianco voters to decide they should not let their perfect be the enemy of the good,” Schnur said. “There are a finite number of Republicans in California. The more they split their vote, the less likely either one of their candidates moves on to the general election.” 

In the Los Angeles mayoral race that has captured national attention, former reality television star and community advocate Spencer Pratt is challenging incumbent Mayor Bass and far-Left Councilmember Nithya Raman.

Pratt, a victim of the devastating January 2025 wildfires, has tapped into his savvy social media background to drive a message of change in a city plagued by chronic challenges, including homelessness, crime, and skyrocketing prices. 

They not like us pic.twitter.com/78hducHDUE

— Spencer Pratt (@spencerpratt) April 29, 2026

Republicans make up only 15% of registered voters in Los Angeles, but most polls suggest Pratt is exceeding that share. 

The top two will also advance to the November election. For months, Bass has stalled at or below 30% in most polls, putting the incumbent mayor in an “extraordinarily vulnerable place.” 

“It wouldn’t be that surprising to see her finish third and get left out,” Schnur said. “Angelenos made up their minds about her after the wildfires. Fairly or not, they decided that she wasn’t up to the job.” 

Polls in the Golden State close at 8 p.m. local time. Given the state’s notoriously slow vote-counting process, it remains unclear whether races with national implications will be called Tuesday night.

“California has become the leader of the resistance in a deeply divided country, so for voters in other parts of the country who want a sense of how the Democratic party will move forward in a post-Trump era, this could be very valuable of early indicators,” Schnur said.