In the latest batch of California election results, Republican candidates Spencer Pratt and Steve Hilton have seen their leads shrink against Democratic opponents in key races. Spencer Pratt, a registered Republican and former reality star, maintained a near 6% lead over Councilwoman Nithya Raman in the Los Angeles mayoral contest, but his advantage narrowed after the latest vote count. Pratt now holds 163,549 votes compared to Raman’s 130,473, according to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder. Raman gained over 10,000 votes in the latest tally, while Pratt added fewer than 6,000. Incumbent Democratic Mayor Karen Bass has already secured enough votes to advance to the November general election.
In the California gubernatorial race, Xavier Becerra, the former Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, advanced to the November general election, according to Decision Desk HQ. Becerra holds 26.03% of the vote, while Republican Steve Hilton leads with 27.18%. Billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer trails in third place with 20.18%. However, Fox News reports that Hilton has since slipped behind Steyer in the latest count, with Steyer gaining nearly 24,000 votes compared to Hilton’s 12,309. Becerra’s campaign has been boosted by his past experience as California’s attorney general and his appeal among Latino voters, who make up a significant portion of the state’s electorate. If elected, Becerra would be the first Latino governor since Romualdo Pacheco in the 1870s.
The California primary system allows all candidates to appear on the same ballot, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election, regardless of party affiliation. The races have taken on national significance, particularly after the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, as they serve as a testing ground for progressive leadership in the state.