California voting closes in contested governor and congressional primaries

Californians are casting their final ballots on Tuesday in a crowded gubernatorial primary as the state's voting period comes to an end. The contest is being watched closely because Governor Gavin Newsom is term-limited and cannot seek another term, leaving no clear front-runner in the race to replace him. Closely observed congressional battles are also on the ballot, adding to the significance of the day for the state's political balance.

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The primary began in early May and concludes after a campaign that has drawn about 60 candidates onto a single ballot. Under California's open-primary system, the two highest-performing candidates advance to the November general election regardless of party. That structure has raised concern among Democrats that a split vote could open the door to a Republican victory.

The state's roughly 23 million voters are choosing from a field that includes several better-known figures alongside many lesser-known candidates. Among the Democrats, the leading names include Xavier Becerra, a former state attorney general and former US health secretary; Tom Steyer, a billionaire climate activist; Matt Mahan, the mayor of San Jose; and Katie Porter, a former member of Congress. On the Republican side, the most prominent candidates are conservative commentator Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.

The campaign has centred on the state's high cost of living, while Democrats have also campaigned against attacks from the Trump administration on California's liberal policies and leadership. The congressional races on the ballot have been shaped by a redistricting campaign led by Newsom in response to a Republican gerrymandering push that would favour Republicans in November's midterm elections. That makes the primaries important not only for the governor's race but also for the wider balance of power in Washington.

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California is the most populous US state and the world's fifth-largest economy, so its political direction carries national weight. The contest also reflects a broader struggle over the state's political identity after more than 15 years of Democratic leadership in Sacramento. Republicans are arguing for change, while Democrats are trying to defend the state's current direction and its response to federal pressure.

The issue of affordability has been central, with drivers paying $6 per gallon at the pump at the start of June, according to the American Automobile Association, well above the national average. What remains unclear is which two candidates will emerge from the top-two primary system and how the vote will be split across the large field. It is also not yet clear how the congressional contests will be affected by the redistricting fight.

The next key moment will come when the results show whether the crowded field produces a clear Democratic path or a more competitive Republican opening.

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