California Primary Sees 61 Candidates Vie for Governor as New Congressional Map Reshapes House Races

California voters headed to the polls in a state primary that featured a crowded field of 61 candidates for governor and the first use of a new congressional map approved by voters in November 2025.

The gubernatorial race to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom drew a large field of Democratic candidates, raising concerns among party officials that vote-splitting could allow two Republicans to advance to the general election under California’s top-two primary format. Democratic candidates include former U.S. health secretary Xavier Becerra, former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, billionaire 2020 presidential candidate Tom Steyer and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Republicans vying for the seat include Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and conservative commentator Steve Hilton, who has President Donald Trump’s endorsement.

Democrats Eric Swalwell and former state Controller Betty Yee appeared on the ballot but had withdrawn from the race. Swalwell was a top contender but withdrew on April 12 following sexual assault allegations he has denied, and resigned from Congress two days later.

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The new congressional district boundaries, approved in a November 2025 referendum, have complicated reelection bids for several Republican House incumbents. In the 6th Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley left the Republican Party in March to run for reelection as an independent. In the 40th Congressional District, Republican U.S. Reps. Ken Calvert and Young Kim are competing against each other, with Democrat Esther Kim Varet among several challengers hoping to advance to the general election.

A special election in the 1st Congressional District was also on the ballot to complete the term of the late Republican U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, who died in January. The five-person field features the Democratic state Senate President against the Republican state Assembly Minority Leader. If no candidate receives a vote majority, the top two finishers will compete on Aug. 4. A special election to fill Swalwell’s vacant 14th Congressional District seat was scheduled for June 16.

As of Thursday before the election, about 2.6 million ballots had already been cast. In the 2024 U.S. Senate primary, about 89% of votes were cast before primary day. As of April 3, there were about 23.1 million registered voters in California, including about 10.4 million Democrats, about 5.8 million Republicans and about 5.3 million not registered with any party.

The Breakdown

• California uses a top-two primary format where all candidates run on the same ballot regardless of party, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election
• The new congressional map was approved by voters in a November 2025 referendum in response to Trump’s initiative in Texas and other states to maximize GOP seats
• Special elections use current district boundaries, not the new map going into effect for the next Congress
• The winner of the 1st Congressional District special election will be determined on Aug. 4 if no candidate receives a majority, and will serve under current boundaries

What This Means for You

The crowded governor’s race and new congressional boundaries mean Central Valley voters could see significantly different representation in both Sacramento and Washington. If two Republicans advance in the governor’s race, California would be guaranteed its first Republican governor since 2006. The redrawn congressional districts favorable to Democrats could shift representation in competitive Valley seats that have historically leaned Republican.