Republican Steve Hilton Leads in Governor Race As Spencer Pratt Right Behind Karen Bass in LA Mayor Race
In a long-awaited display of voter frustration with California’s one-party Democratic dominance, early results from the June 2 primary show Republican Steve Hilton surging to the top of the gubernatorial field, signaling a clear rebuke to the liberal policies that have driven up costs, homelessness, and crime across the Golden State.
With 60% of votes counted, Hilton, the former Fox News host, David Cameron adviser, and Trump-endorsed conservative, holds a 3-point lead over longtime Democrat Xavier Becerra. Billionaire Tom Steyer trails in third. Under California’s top-two primary system, Hilton and Becerra appear poised to advance to the November general election, offering voters a stark choice: continued liberal governance or a fresh new direction focused on affordability, safety, and opportunity.
Hilton’s strong performance comes as no surprise to those paying attention to Californians’ growing anger over sky-high taxes, regulatory overreach, failing schools, and unchecked spending on homelessness programs that have delivered little but more tents on sidewalks. His campaign has hammered home promises to cut taxes, suspend burdensome environmental rules driving up gas prices, open land for housing, and crack down on waste and fraud.
“This is about ending the one-party rule that got us into this mess,” Hilton has repeatedly declared. His message of making California “Golden Again” clearly resonated with voters tired of the status quo.
LA Mayor Race: Spencer Pratt’s Outsider Surge Puts Pressure on Karen Bass
A similar story is unfolding in Los Angeles, where incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, a Democrat, leads but faces a strong challenge from reality TV star Spencer Pratt. Early returns show Bass ahead, but Pratt is closely behind and well ahead of progressive Nithya Raman for the second spot in the November runoff.
Pratt, who lost his Pacific Palisades home in the devastating wildfires, has run as a fierce critic of Bass and the broader Democratic establishment. His campaign has focused on public safety, clearing homeless encampments, boosting police funding, and holding leaders accountable for mismanagement. The outspoken outsider’s rise represents another direct challenge to liberal leadership in one of America’s most iconic — and troubled — cities.
A Turning Point for California?
These primary results come amid a $35+ billion state budget deficit, record out-migration of residents and businesses, an influx of illegal immigration amid sanctuary city policies, and ongoing struggles with affordability that have made California one of the most expensive places to live in America. Republicans and independents appear energized, viewing this as their best shot at a statewide breakthrough in years.
Hilton has positioned the November contest as a referendum on Democratic rule. If the trends hold, voters will have a clear alternative in the general election — something California hasn’t seen in a competitive gubernatorial race for some time.
As ballots continue to be tallied, one thing is clear: the liberal monopoly on power in California is facing its strongest challenge in decades. Whether this momentum carries through to November remains to be seen, but the message from primary voters is unmistakable — Californians are demanding change.
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