{"id":772704,"date":"2026-05-04T14:01:21","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T14:01:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/772704\/"},"modified":"2026-05-04T14:01:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T14:01:21","slug":"california-election-inside-battles-for-governor-l-a-mayor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/772704\/","title":{"rendered":"California election: Inside battles for governor, L.A. mayor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Election season<\/a> is upon us, and one major issue on the ballot is the California governor\u2019s race<\/a>. After a slow start, the race is finally starting to pick up steam.<\/p>\n

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Californians will also cast ballots for the first time using the new congressional district boundaries authorized in November\u2019s passage of Proposition 50<\/a> \u2014 the statewide measure that reconfigures California\u2019s congressional districts to favor more Democratic candidates.<\/p>\n

Ballots are already in the mail to registered voters. There are multiple ways to cast your vote<\/a>, including by mail, dropping off your ballot in a box or showing up at a polling place on election day \u2014 June 2 \u2014 if you forgot to register to vote.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s more on the state\u2019s major races and propositions.<\/p>\n

Who will replace Newsom?<\/p>\n

For the first time in half a century, there isn\u2019t a rock-solid front-runner. The race has attracted a large and diverse field of candidates<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It has been narrowed down to eight candidates after former Rep. Eric Swalwell withdrew amid sexual assault and misconduct allegations<\/a> and former state Controller Betty Yee ended her bid<\/a>.<\/p>\n

That leaves two Republicans and six Democrats, including three men of color and a woman. California has never elected a woman as governor, and only once has a person of color held the state\u2019s highest office<\/a>, making this race potentially historic for the state.<\/p>\n

Four major candidates look to unseat Karen Bass<\/p>\n

Incumbent Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faces a tough reelection challenge<\/a> in a field of 13 candidates, including a reality TV personality, a tech entrepreneur and two progressive candidates.<\/p>\n

Councilmember Nithya Raman, who endorsed Bass only to later run against her<\/a>, is heavily backed by entertainment industry workers, the pro-housing YIMBY (Yes in My Backyard) movement and many in the local chapter of Democratic Socialists of America.<\/p>\n

Community organizer Rae Huang<\/a> is also running at the left end of the political spectrum, while Adam Miller<\/a>, who made a fortune on education software, has been courting moderate voters.<\/p>\n

Although the race is nonpartisan, all of the leading candidates are Democrats except for Spencer Pratt. The Republican and reality TV personality has drawn support from politicians and media figures who align themselves with Donald Trump, including gubernatorial candidate Chad Bianco, Riverside County\u2019s sheriff.<\/p>\n

L.A. County\u2019s proposed healthcare tax<\/p>\n

Also on the ballot this year, L.A. county voters will decide whether to approve a half-cent sales tax<\/a> to fund hospitals and clinics facing massive federal healthcare cuts.<\/p>\n

Health officials say they expect the One Big Beautiful Bill Act<\/a>, which President Trump signed into law last July, to slash<\/a> more than $2 billion from the county\u2019s budget for health services over the next three years.<\/p>\n

Many Californians are losing their Medi-Cal benefits because of it, which means the county will no longer be reimbursed for their care.<\/p>\n

Officials are hoping voters will help bring new tax money into the system. The sales tax, which needs a simple majority to pass, would take effect Oct. 1 and last five years.<\/p>\n

A battleground that could reshape Congress<\/p>\n

One of the most closely watched House contests in the state is the race for California\u2019s 48th Congressional District<\/a>, which had long been considered firmly Republican territory.<\/p>\n

But a new map adopted under Proposition 50 dramatically changed things, turning the GOP stronghold into a district that now slightly favors Democrats.<\/p>\n

A win in District 48, spanning parts of San Diego and Riverside counties, could be exactly what Democrats need to regain control over the U.S. House of Representatives.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s our full voter guide to the 2026 California primary election<\/a>, including where to vote, plus statewide races, measures and propositions on the ballot.<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s top stories \"A <\/a> <\/p>\n

A courtroom sketch depicts Cole Tomas Allen, the suspect in the D.C. shooting, appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya.<\/p>\n

(Dana Verkouteren \/ Associated Press)<\/p>\n

From Caltech grad to accused gunman in D.C. attack<\/p>\n