Karen Bass to face runoff election amid tough challenge from Spencer Pratt
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is advancing to a runoff election after failing to capture 51% of the vote needed to win outright in a bid for reelection that has drawn national attention. A second candidate who will advance to the runoff has yet to be called.
Coverage for this event has ended.
Trump congratulates Steve Hilton, predicts California comeback if GOP candidate wins
President Donald Trump on Wednesday offered his congratulations to California's GOP gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton, who is likely to advance to the state's general election.
"Congratulations to Steve Hilton on coming in first, last night, in the California Vote for Governor," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. "If Californians are smart, which I know they are, they will put Steve into the Governor’s Mansion, and watch their State get better at a rate that has probably never been seen before."
The president added he "know[s] Steve," describing the candidate as a "hard driving WINNER."
"He will turn California around, quickly — and the Federal Government will be there, with him, to help!" Trump wrote.
South Dakota Gov Larry Rhoden advances to GOP runoff after crowded primary
South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden survived the first round of a crowded Republican gubernatorial primary Tuesday, as he was confirmed on Wednesday to have moved on to a runoff against leading contender and businessman Toby Doeden.
Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., the Mount Rushmore State's at-large congressman, was seen as the most likely foil for Rhoden, while the fourth candidate in the race – House Speaker Jon Hansen, R-Dell Rapids — also did not make the cut.
Since no candidate crossed the 35% threshold for a three-or-more candidate race, state law prescribes an eight-week final lap before a new election set for June 28.
Rhoden, the longtime lieutenant governor under former Gov. Kristi Noem, opposes abortion, supports Second Amendment rights and has worked with his former boss on homeland security matters, including cooperating with ICE on immigration enforcement operations.
Doeden ran as a political outsider and positioned himself as a populist candidate.
Hansen, meanwhile, is the establishment conservative challenger who has served in the State House for more than a decade.
Click here to read the full story by Fox News Digital's Charles Creitz.
Hilton tells Fox News Digital ‘change is coming to California’
As votes were still being counted in California, Steve Hilton, the GOP gubernatorial candidate who is likely to advance to the general election, spoke exclusively with Fox News Digital after his primary night speech.
“It’s incredibly important, I think, that we have an option for change in California because everyone can see we’re going in the wrong direction,” Hilton said. “That’s why it meant so much that, it really does look like as if we’re in that in that top two so we can offer Californians a new direction in November.”
“Now it looks as if we really can say … change is coming to California,” he continued. “That is now a real possibility.”
Hilton and Democrats Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer were leading in early returns after polls closed. Only two will advance to the general election, however, and The Associated Press has not yet called the primary for any candidate.
When asked how he’d win in a state that has leaned Democrat for over a decade, Hilton argued that he is the only candidate who is offering real “positive, practical” change for Californians.
“Honest, simple truths. Everything is too expensive in California; we’re going to cut people’s costs,” Hilton said, emphasizing a proposed cap on vehicle registration and ending the state’s $800 small business tax.
Reporting by Fox News Digital’s Paul Steinhauser.
Republican Jim Desmond, Democrat Marni von Wilpert advance to November faceoff in CA race
Republican Jim Desmond and Democrat Marni von Wilpert advanced Tuesday from California’s 48th Congressional District top-two primary, securing spots in the general election to replace retiring Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif.
Desmond, a San Diego County Supervisor and former mayor of San Marcos, was endorsed by Issa after the congressman announced his retirement in March, and President Donald Trump. Von Wilpert, a San Diego City Council member, emerged as the leading Democrat in the closely watched race.
Desmond has campaigned on public safety, border security and support for veterans, while Von Wilpert has emphasized housing affordability, reproductive rights and environmental protection.
The race unfolded under new district lines redrawn under Proposition 50, a redistricting measure backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom and approved as part of Democrats' effort to gain House seats in response to Trump-backed redistricting in Texas.
Desmond and von Wilpert will face off in November.
Battle to succeed Pelosi enters next phase after California primary shake-up
California State Sen. Scott Wiener and member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Connie Chan advanced Tuesday from the crowded primary for California’s 11th Congressional District, setting up a November showdown for the seat long held by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The race has become a closely watched battle between establishment Democratic leadership and the party’s insurgent progressive wing. Pelosi’s retirement opened the San Francisco-based seat for the first time in decades following her long reign.
Wiener was an advocate for transgender and gay rights and worked to push bill on housing affordability and transit system expansion. Before his time in the state Senate, he served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and as a Deputy City Attorney.
Pelosi-backed Chan campaigned on affordability, working families, labor rights, and opposition to outsized corporate influence in local and national politics.
Wiener and Chan will now face off in November’s midterm election.
GOP California gubernatorial candidate shares why he thinks he came out successful on primary night
Republican candidate for governor in California Steve Hilton appeared to finish on top in the state's open primary, telling Fox News Digital that his campaign has been about giving voters "an option for change" in the deep-blue state.
"Honest, simple truths," Hilton said when Fox News Digital spoke to him Tuesday evening, with around 51% of the votes counted and Hilton in front of the crowded field. "All the simple things. That's what it's all been about. Traveling the state, working incredibly hard, meeting people, and learning what needs to change and offering a simple, positive, practical plan. That's all it is."
Hilton called the results Tuesday night "encouraging" and added that, with his success on primary night Tuesday, it cements that change coming to California "is now a real possibility."
Fox News Digital's Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report from Los Angeles.
Hilton pays homage to Schwarzenegger as immigrant with ‘funny accent’ aiming for governorship
California Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton gave a nod to the last member of the GOP to lead Sacramento, whom he noted was also an immigrant with an accent like himself.
Hilton, a former aide to then-British Prime Minister David Cameron, is seeking to make it through the Golden State’s jungle primary system in which the top two vote-getters of any party advance to the general election.
Thus far early Wednesday, Hilton, Biden cabinet official Xavier Becerra and left-wing billionaire Tom Steyer were the main names competing for the two spots.
Hilton told the crowd at his Huntington Beach victory party that “change is coming to California” and that he looks up to Schwarzenegger’s own unique political rise in the deep blue state.
“It looks very much as if Californians really will have the chance to vote for change in November and take our state in a new direction --- a fresh start for our state, which is long overdue,” Hilton said.
“As someone who is a new American citizen, so proud: so proud to be an American, so proud to be a Californian. What an incredible honor.”
He noted that more than one million people had thus far been recorded voting for him.
“And I know that some of you may be watching and saying, who is this guy with a funny accent who thinks he can be governor of California?”
“Well, you know, there was actually an immigrant who was governor of California not that long ago [and] I remember when I became an American citizen, that certain governor you may remember, he said, congratulations.”
“He said ‘Steve ,you got the wrong jacket’,” Hilton went on, partially mimicking Schwarzenegger’s signature Austrian staccato.
Hilton said he pledged to Schwarzenegger that he would one day get a jacket that the actor would want him to --- gesturing to his suit’s inseam.
On one side was an inseam of an American flag, while the other flank of his jacket had a California state flag interwoven into it.
“And here it is,” he said. “I am a proud American. There’s the jacket – and I am a very proud Californian.”
“Arnold --- that was for you.”
Dem reportedly facing sexual misconduct probe wins primary
Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., has secured a spot in November’s general election even as congressional sources tell the press that he is under investigation for inappropriate sexual behavior.
Gomez, who represents a deep blue district covering a large portion of Los Angeles, is being investigated by the House Ethics Committee in connection with reporting from the New York Post claiming that he had been seen kissing a political aide working for another member of Congress at a party, according to CNN. The news outlet cited three anonymous congressional sources who requested not to be named.
A spokesperson for the congressman told the New York Post that the kissing event did not happen but the congressman later told CNN that, while he hadn’t broken the law, he had made mistakes that hurt his family.
Gomez, who is married, promised to “cooperate with any Ethics Committee inquiry and provide it with whatever information it might need.”
The California Democratic Party was rocked by sexual assault allegations earlier this year when former Rep. Eric Swalwell was accused by multiple women of sexual assault ranging from unwanted touching to rape. Previously the frontrunner in California’s gubernatorial election, he dropped out of the race and sparked discourse within the Democratic Party about how to handle sexual abuse.
Gomez and Swalwell were reportedly friendly with one another.
Incumbent L.A. mayor survives heated criticisms from both parties, advances to reelection runoff
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is advancing to a runoff election after failing to capture 51% of the vote needed to win outright in a bid for reelection that has drawn national attention.
Bass has come under fierce political scrutiny from both the left and the right as she tries to secure a second term as L.A. mayor.
From the right, Bass has received criticism from challenger Spencer Pratt for failing to hold government accountable in areas like emergency response and addressing the homeless population.
From the left, fellow Democratic candidate Nithya Raman has slammed Bass for not doing enough to promote affordability.
Pratt is second in early returns of the vote, while Raman is further back.
Bass, for her own part, maintains that her three years as mayor have taken the city in the right direction.
“Los Angeles is at a turning point. After decades of rising homelessness, under-built housing and a shrinking police force, it’s Mayor Karen Bass who finally stepped up to change how City Hall works,” Bass’s website reads.
“Homelessness is down, more housing is being built and the LAPD is hiring new officers.”
Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom endorsed Bass earlier this month.
Bass first won election to office in 2022 in a 54.8% to 45.2% victory over independent challenger Rick J. Caruso.
California Democrat who opposed Trump impeachment effort cruises to victory in primary race
House Democratic Caucus Chair and Congressman from California's 33rd Congressional District, Rep. Pete Aguilar, who opposed recent efforts to impeach President Donald Trump by his fellow democrat colleagues, cruised to victory during his primary race for reelection Tuesday.
Aguilar's closest competitor was roughly 20,000 votes behind, according to the Associated Press' elections tracker.
Shortly after Trump took office Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Mich., introduced seven articles of impeachment against the president. The articles alleged wrongdoing by Trump including "Obstruction of Justice and Abuse of Executive Power," "Usurpation of Appropriations Power," "Abuse of Trade Powers and International Aggression," "Violation of First Amendment Rights," "Creation of an Unlawful Office," "Bribery and Corruption," and "Tyrannical Overreach."
Several Democrats, including Aguilar, criticized Thanedar's impeachment attempts.
"I have said before from this podium, this is not the right approach we should be taking," Aguilar, D-Calif., said at a press conference where top House Democrats indicated they would join Republicans in blocking a House-wide vote on impeaching Trump. "I'll join members of the leadership team in voting to table that motion."
Progressive Rep. Melanie Stansbury advances to general election in New Mexico
Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., secured her party’s nomination to represent New Mexico's 1st Congressional District for a fourth time. A member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Stansbury ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. She has represented the district since 2021.
New Mexico's 1st Congressional District is made up primarily of urban and suburban areas centered in Albuquerque. As the incumbent in a Democratic-leaning district, Stansbury is favored to defeat Republican challenger Didi Okpareke, a conservative medical business owner.
She has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund and the National Education Association, the nation's largest abortion provider and largest teachers union, respectively.
In Congress, Stansbury has been a staunch opponent of President Donald Trump. She drew national attention at last year's joint address to Congress when she held up a sign reading, “This is not normal,” as Trump walked by.
Rio Rancho pharmacist wins GOP nomination to take on three-term Democratic incumbent in NM-01
Didi Okpareke, a conservative pharmacist and business owner, won the GOP nomination for New Mexico Congressional District 1. The child of Nigerian immigrants, Okpareke is a first-generation Nigerian American who has lived in New Mexico since the 1990s.
As a small business owner and founder of Olive Tree Compounding Pharmacy, Okpareke has focused her campaign message on economic growth, opportunity, and cutting waste and abuse. She was the sole Republican to qualify for the race in the district, which is primarily urban and suburban and centered around Albuquerque. The district leans heavily Democratic.
Okpareke will challenge three-term Democratic incumbent Rep. Melanie Stansbury, who has held the seat since 2021. So far, Okpareke has not garnered any major endorsements.
Meanwhile, Stansbury has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund and the National Education Association, the nation's largest abortion provider advocacy organization and largest teachers union, respectively.
Democrat scrutinized over Satanist wedding, transgender issues advances in key House race
Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott will advance to the general election to face Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, in a race widely expected to be among the most competitive House contests in the country.
Trone Garriott, a state senator and Lutheran minister, secured the Democratic nomination in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District after running unopposed, according to The Associated Press.
The Democratic candidate has faced GOP attacks over her positions on transgender issues, embrace of non-Christian religions in the state legislature and views on parental rights in education. Republicans have also scrutinized her role in officiating the wedding ceremony of a satanist couple, Fox News Digital reported.
Trone Garriott is a member of House Democrats campaign arm’s flagship candidate program and Democrats are expected to spend aggressively to unseat Nunn.
Zach Nunn wins Iowa GOP primary, setting up another high-stakes House battleground fight
Republican Rep. Zach Nunn won Tuesday's GOP primary in Iowa's 3rd Congressional District, securing renomination as he prepares for another competitive general election fight in one of the nation's top House battlegrounds.
Nunn, a former state senator and Air Force veteran, ran unopposed in his reelection primary. Nunn has represented the Des Moines-area district since 2023, after unseating Democratic Rep. Cindy Axne in 2022 and holding the seat through a closely watched reelection campaign in 2024. His previous races have attracted millions of dollars in outside spending, ensuring the district remains a key battleground in the fight for House control.
Attention now turns to the general election, where Nunn is set to face Democratic State Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott. National Democrats view the district as one of their top pickup opportunities, while Republicans see Nunn as a proven candidate capable of holding a seat in a district Trump carried by 4.5 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election.
With control of the House likely to be decided by a handful of competitive districts, Iowa's 3rd Congressional District is expected to follow the pattern of past races and attract significant outside spending and national attention in the months ahead.
Incumbent Democrat to face off against Hollywood producer in affluent LA congressional district
Incumbent Rep. Brad Sherman, a Democrat, and Hollywood producer Larry Thompson, a Republican, are advancing to run against each other in California’s 32nd Congressional District in November’s general election.
The state’s 32nd congressional district strongly favors the Democratic Party, encompassing an affluent part of Los Angeles County which is home to the towns of Pacific Palisades and Bel Air. Thompson, who describes himself as a centrist, faces an uphill battle in November.
Sherman has served as a representative for nearly three decades across four different Californian congressional districts. During his time in Congress, he has established himself as a friend of Israel, a harsh critic of China and a progressive on social issues.
Thompson has made his disagreements with Sherman over cryptocurrency a major part of his campaign, accusing the Democrat of being “on the wrong side of history” over his calls to ban digital currencies. During his time in the entertainment industry, Thompson structured corporate mergers, managed big names in the music industry and worked on large media productions.
The clash between Levine, who is 42, and Sherman, who is 71, has been characterized as a fight for “generational change” within the Democratic Party.
The clash between Levine, who is 42, and Sherman, who is 71, has been characterized as a fight for “generational change” within the Democratic Party.
Trump endorsement fails to save Iowa gubernatorial hopeful in surprise loss
Backing from President Donald Trump wasn’t enough to carry Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, through a primary race on Tuesday to become the next governor of the Hawkeye State, a noteworthy reversal of Trump’s recent influence in GOP primaries.
Feenstra, who was widely projected to win, conceded to Republican challenger Zach Lahn on Tuesday evening.
The upset comes on the heels of Trump’s last-minute endorsement of Feenstra on Friday.
“Highly respected America First Congressman, Randy Feenstra, is running for Governor of Iowa, a place I love and WON BIG in 2016, 2020 and 2024, getting the highest Vote in the History of Iowa. Randy is MAGA all the way!” Trump wrote in a post to Truth Social.
Feenstra quickly highlighted the post in a press release.
“President Trump is the greatest President of my lifetime. He has kept every promise he made to Iowans and the American people,” Feenstra wrote.
Trump’s endorsement has been a deciding factor in GOP primaries in Texas, Kentucky and Indiana for candidates who have fallen out of grace with the president. Trump used his endorsement to dislodge Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and even a group of state lawmakers that blocked a mid-decade redistricting plan in Indiana.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
Having cleared the primaries, Lahn, a farmer, businessman and entrepreneur, will head to a general primary on Nov. 3.
Gregg Hull secures New Mexico GOP gubernatorial nomination as Republicans target governor’s mansion
Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull won New Mexico's Republican gubernatorial primary Tuesday, securing the GOP nomination in the open-seat race.
Hull, widely viewed as a leading contender entering Election Day, campaigned on public safety, government experience and economic growth. He defeated businessman Doug Turner and former Human Services Secretary Duke Rodriguez.
Throughout the race, Hull argued New Mexico needs tougher approaches to violent crime, fentanyl trafficking and border security while criticizing Democratic leadership in Santa Fe.
Hull will now face former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in the general election as Republicans attempt to flip the governor’s office for the first time since 2019.
The New Mexico gubernatorial race to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is expected to become a closely watched political contest this year.
Hull’s victory solidifies Republican support behind a candidate many in the party see as a strong statewide contender heading into November.
He will now face either former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland or Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman in the general election as Republicans attempt to flip the governor’s office for the first time since 2019.
The New Mexico gubernatorial race to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is expected to become one of the most closely watched political contests in the state this year.
Rep. Ro Khanna, top ally of Graham Platner, secures primary victory
Rep. Ro Khanna, who has emerged as a staunch defender of Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, won a commanding victory in California’s 17th Congressional District.
Khanna’s Bay Area seat is heavily Democratic, clearing the way for his general election victory.
Even as stories have broken about Platner’s controversial statements about members of the Armed Forces, his alleged marital infidelity and his use of slurs online, Khanna has stood firm behind his fellow progressive.
“I am proud of @grahamformaine for having the character to stand up against the war in Iran, against genocide, and against an unfair & lopsided economy,” Khanna posted to X on May 30. “I am proud of him for having a vision for a new deal for our time. Excited to campaign with him June 5!”
Khanna, who was first elected to Congress in 2016, has built a public profile as a progressive voice on technology, antitrust issues, foreign policy restraint and economic populism. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries recently appointed him to serve as the ranking member on the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.
NJ Democrat who was associated with alleged terrorist wins high praise from Bernie Sanders
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., heaped praise on Dr. Adam Hamawy after he won the Democratic primary in New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District on Tuesday despite controversies surrounding his association with an Islamic cleric who was convicted on terrorism charges.
“Congratulations to Dr. Adam Hamawy on his landslide victory tonight in the New Jersey 12th district Democratic primary,” the Vermont senator wrote Tuesday night. “Dr. Hamawy will be a strong progressive voice in the House and, as a physician, he understands our healthcare system is broken and we need Medicare for All.”
Hamawy took a road trip with Omar Abdel-Rahman, who was convicted on terrorism and seditious conspiracy charges in connection with the 1993 World Trade Center bombings, to attend a conference where the cleric discussed “conquering the land of the infidels.” Hamawy served as a defense witness at Abdel-Rahman’s trial and even translated documents for him after the bombings.
Supporters of Hamawy point toward his service in the United States Army as a combat surgeon and his work as a first-responder following the 9/11 terrorist attacks to counter accusations that he is insufficiently patriotic.
Comedian Adam Carolla, radio personality Billy Bush show up to Spencer Pratt watch party
Comedian Adam Carolla showed up to Spencer Pratt's election night watch party Tuesday evening, alongside radio host Billy Bush, who was infamously the other person Donald Trump was caught making sexually crude comments about women to in a leaked 2016 "access Hollywood" audio tape.
"Spencer Pratt!" Carolla said with a thumbs up when asked if he had any predictions for the night.
"We're here for change [unintelligible], change!" Bush added when asked for his thoughts by members of the media standing outside the election night event at Don Antonio's Cantina in Los Angeles.