Key Takeaways From Primaries in California, Iowa, Other States

In California, votes are still being counted in the tight primary race for governor.

People vote at a polling location at the Metro Headquarters Building during California's state primary election in Los Angeles on June 2, 2026. Frederic J. Brown / AFP via Getty Images

People vote at a polling location at the Metro Headquarters Building during California's state primary election in Los Angeles on June 2, 2026. Frederic J. Brown / AFP via Getty Images

On Tuesday, voters across the United States, including those in California—the most populous U.S. state—Iowa, New Mexico, New Jersey, and Montana, went to the polls.

In California, several races remain uncalled, including the tight gubernatorial primary. LA Mayor Karen Bass advanced to the November runoff, while her opponent has yet to be called.

Here’s what to know about election night in America’s largest state and elsewhere.

Iowa, Montana Senate Races

In Iowa, Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson will face off against Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek in the contest for the Senate seat held by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who is retiring.

Turek won the Democratic nomination for the open U.S. Senate seat in a landslide against state Sen. Zach Wahls.

The Democrat, a two-time Paralympic gold medalist, flipped a state house seat blue in 2022. Democrats are looking to flip the U.S. Senate seat. After Turek’s win on Tuesday, nonpartisan Cook Political Report shifted its rating of the seat from “likely Republican” to “leans Republican.”

Former U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme easily won the Republican Senate primary in Montana. Alme will face retired Air Force Lt. Col. Alani Bankhead on Nov. 3.

The winner in November will succeed Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), who decided not to run for reelection. Given that Montana is a heavily Republican state, Alme, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, is the heavy favorite.

Key Battleground Races Set

In New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, the matchup in November will be between former Navy pilot Rebecca Bennett, a Democrat, and incumbent GOP Rep. Tom Kean Jr.

Democrats are looking to flip the seat, with the Cook Political Report ranking the district as a “toss-up.”

Kean has been absent from Congress for months. In late April, the congressman said he was dealing with a “personal medical issue” without providing specifics. Kean, whose father is former Republican New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean Sr., said on Tuesday that he expects to return to in-person work in the next few weeks.

In Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, incumbent Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks will face Christina Bohannan for the third time. This is a swing district Miller-Meeks narrowly won in 2024.

In Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District, incumbent GOP Rep. Zach Nunn will face Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott. Neither candidate faced a primary opponent. This is also a swing district.

California Governor’s Race Uncalled

The line-up for the California gubernatorial election—which was shaken in recent weeks by the departure of former frontrunner Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.)—remains uncalled.

By the end of the night, Republican Steve Hilton was in first place with 27.8 percent to former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra’s 25.4 percent, with 58 percent reporting.

If those numbers hold, the two are poised to advance to the general election in November.

Historically, Republicans outperform the initial round of voting in California statewide politics—which features an open primary system where the top two vote-getters advance regardless of party—but fall behind in the general election after support consolidates around the Democratic candidate.

Newcomer Beats Trump-Backed Candidate in Iowa

In Iowa, Zach Lahn defeated four Republicans, including President Donald Trump-endorsed Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), to win the GOP primary for Iowa’s gubernatorial race.

Lahn, a self-described farmer and businessman, defeated Feenstra by a razor’s edge with 37.8 percent of the vote to Feenstra’s 37 percent.

He’ll face off against Democratic nominee Rob Sand, the state auditor of Iowa, in the general election on Nov. 3.

Feenstra had been endorsed by Trump and was considered the frontrunner by observers, despite signs of growing support for Lahn.

But Feenstra late Tuesday called Lahn to concede the race, locking in an upset that defied the odds leading into election night.

Over in New Mexico, voters also made their picks for gubernatorial candidates.

Former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is the Democrats’ pick to face Republican nominee Greggory Hull.

While the state leans blue, it’s been eyed by Republican strategists in recent years.

Bass Advances in LA Mayor’s Race

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass advanced to the November runoff election for Los Angeles mayor.

Reality TV star Spencer Pratt and Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman lead 11 other candidates in the race for runner-up.

The runner-up will face Bass in the runoff election on Nov. 3.

Bass campaigned on issues including affordability, public safety, and homelessness.

Pratt focused his campaign on crisis management, fiscal responsibility, government reform, public safety, homelessness, infrastructure improvements, support for small businesses, and oversight of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

California House Primaries

California voters also picked candidates in several key districts.

In outgoing Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s (D-N.Y.) district, based in San Francisco, Scott Wiener will face off against City Councilwoman Connie Chan in November. Chan was endorsed by Pelosi.

In California’s newly redrawn 48th Congressional District near San Diego, some polls had indicated that two Republicans could win the primary, but that didn’t materialize.

Republican San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond won the top spot in the primary to replace outgoing Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.). Issa opted to retire instead of running in the newly redrawn San Diego district that aims to favor Democrats.

San Diego City Councilwoman Marni von Wilpert won the remaining spot on the November ballot, beating eight other Democrats.