LIVE: 2026 California governor primary election votes

OAKLAND, Calif. - The race for California governor remains too close to call Wednesday morning with millions of votes still left to be counted, though three candidates have emerged with clear leads.

Hilton, Becerra ahead

By the numbers:

Updated vote totals through Tuesday night show Republican Steve Hilton leading the crowded field with 28 percent of the vote. Democrat Xavier Becerra follows in second place with 25 percent, and Democrat Tom Steyer is in third with 20 percent.

All three leading candidates addressed their supporters Tuesday night at campaign events. Hilton, the Republican front-runner, aimed his message at voters who feel disillusioned by decades of Democratic leadership in the state.

"Something has to change," Hilton said. "The Democratic candidates acknowledge that. They just don't have any alternative options. They don't [have] any change that will take us in the right direction. That's why we have to fight for the very last vote. Because if we miss this opportunity, then we're stuck with another four years of chaos, and the cost, and the crime, and homelessness, and all the things that people want to change."

Becerra, the former Health and Human Services secretary under the Biden administration, struck a more progressive tone than he had during much of the primary campaign, describing himself as a "working-class candidate with a law degree."

"We are going to launch a building revolution," Becerra said. "No excuse is acceptable for allowing people to live on our streets. Universal access to [healthcare] in California."

Steyer, a billionaire activist who positioned himself as a progressive alternative to Becerra's more moderate stance, remained optimistic about his prospects of advancing to the general election.

"The corporate interests came at us with everything they had and we didn't back down," Steyer said. "We were absolutely uncompromising in our values and our vision for California. And together we scared the hell out of the corporate interests who are used to getting their own way."

Mahan, Porter conceded

Other candidates in the race have already conceded. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan bowed out after drawing just 5 percent of the vote. Former Rep. Katie Porter also conceded about two hours after polls closed Tuesday night.

Under California's primary system, the field of 61 candidates on the ballot will ultimately be narrowed down to just the top two finishers, who will face off in the November general election to become the next governor of California.

In other election races throughout the Bay Area, South Bay voters will decide who will represent District 14, the region formerly represented by Rep. Eric Swalwell, who resigned and dropped out of the gubernatorial race after multiple allegations of sexual assault. 

San Francisco voters will cast ballots in the District 11 congressional race, which will decide who will replace storied Rep. Nancy Pelosi. 

In the East Bay, Alameda County voters will choose the next district attorney, who will serve as the county’s top prosecutor. 

KTVU FOX 2 is tracking live primary June 2 election results now that the polls have closed. 

Check back here to see live results as ballots are still being counted. 

8:30 p.m.

Gubernatorial hopeful and former Mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa conceded as the early results came in. 

"Tonight didn’t turn out the way we hoped, and I offer my congratulations to the winners and offer my best wishes for the road ahead," said Villaraigosa. 

Early results show the former L.A. mayor dead last among the top seven candidates with nearly 47,000 votes. Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra had roughly 848,000 and 838,000 votes apiece. 

San Jose mayor Matt Mahan also conceded in his primary election night speech. He had some 145,000 votes. He thanked his fellow candidates on a hard-fought race.

"While this campaign for governor ends tonight… our mission has only just begun," said Mahan. "To have a government in Sacramento that makes life better for Californians…we have to pay attention and make our voices heard all the time. Not just on Election Day. That’s what this campaign is all about. It’s what I have always been about. Government should work for you, not the politicians or the special interests."

9:30 p.m. 

Democratic candidate and billionaire activist Tom Steyer gave a speech on election night. 

"The corporate interests came at us with everything they had and we didn't back down. We were absolutely uncompromising in our values and our vision for California. And together, we scared the hell out of the corporate interests who are used to getting their own way," said Steyer. "We should have a system based on fairness. Not asking for fairness." 

10:00 p.m.

Democratic candidate Katie Porter conceded late Tuesday night. She thanked her supporters and her team for how hard they fought for what they believe in. 

"Tonight is election night. The votes are still being counted and it may take a few days here in California to have final numbers, but we know tonight that we will not advance to the general election in November," Porter said. 

The former congress member, known for her white board explainers, said looking back, she's proud of what was built in this campaign. 

"Together, we talked about the issues that were important to California, particularly affordability and bringing down costs, including making housing the top issue in our campaign because it's the top expense for most California families. Talking about taking on Donald Trump, abolishing ICE, standing up for the rights of every single Californian. That's what this campaign was about," Porter's statement said. 

She said she ran a corporate-free campaign. 

Related content: 2026 Primary Election

• When is California's primary election? Everything voters need to know
• Who are the candidates vying for Nancy Pelosi's seat in Congress?
• 2026 election: What’s on the California state ballot ahead of June primary
• District 14 congressional race: Who's running to replace Rep. Eric Swalwell?
• Alameda County district attorney race: Who’s running?

California Governor Primary Election Results – 2026