In summary
Californians are voting on more than just the next governor. They’ll determine the general election candidates for eight other statewide offices.
California’s primary election included more than just deciding who voters want to see in the governor’s office.
Californians also voted on several statewide offices, ranging from the governor’s second in command to the regulator for the state’s embattled insurance market.
The top two vote-getters will go on the general election ballot, and voters will make the final call in November.
Attorney general
Attorney General Rob Bonta is heading to the general election and will face a challenge from Republican Michael Gates for the role of California’s top cop. Gates is a former trial attorney who served as Huntington Beach city attorney and a deputy United States Attorney. Bonta and his predecessor, Xavier Becerra, used their office to file dozens of lawsuits against the Trump administration.
State superintendent
Sonja Shaw, the conservative former president of the Chino Valley Unified school board, will face Democrat Richard Barrera in the general election. Barrera has support from the state’s largest teachers union, the California Teachers Association, as well as the California Charter Schools Association. They outpaced three veteran state lawmakers — Democrats Anthony Rendon, Josh Newman and Al Muratsuchi — to claim the top spots on the ballot.
Lieutenant governor
The role of gubernatorial second in command is largely ceremonial, with the largest responsibility involving standing in when the governor is out. The lieutenant governor also sits on several boards and commissions, and has the ability to cast a tie-breaking vote if the state Senate is gridlocked. Three Democrats netted the most money: Josh Fryday, a member of Newsom’s cabinet, followed by state Treasurer Fiona Ma and former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs. Republican Gloria Romero, who served 12 years in the state Legislature as a Democrat, ran a close campaign with gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton.
Who’s ahead: Ma is advancing to the general election and the second spot remains undecided. With 70% of votes counted as of 11 a.m. Sunday, Romero is in second with 19% of the vote, trailed by Fryday with 14%.
State controller
Democratic incumbent Malia M. Cohen is heading to the general election to defend her seat as the state’s chief accountant. Herb W. Morgan, a Republican who ran on a promise of exposing fraud in government, will be her challenger. Meghann Adams, a school bus driver from San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood also ran for the seat on a progressive platform as a member of the Peace and Freedom Party.
Secretary of state
Democratic incumbent Shirley Weber is heading to the general election in November for the role of the state’s top elections official. Republican Donald P. Wagner, an Orange County supervisor, will be her challenger. Wagner supports requiring voter ID at the polls and criticized Weber for the state’s slow ballot-counting process. Weber was appointed to her role by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2021 after eight years in the Assembly, and won a four-year term in 2022. She has overseen the implementation of universal mail-in voting in the state, and has pledged to further expand voter access.
Treasurer
Democrat Eleni Kounalakis, the state’s lieutenant governor, is advancing to the general election, where she’ll face Republican Jennifer Hawks, a retired businesswoman.
Insurance commissioner
Californians are deciding who should regulate the state’s embattled insurance market, which has been grappling with how to cope with insurers leaving the state amid growing wildfire risks.
Who’s ahead: Former San Francisco County Supervisor Jane Kim is advancing to the general election while her November has the lead with 24% of the vote. Allen is next with 19% of the vote, and Korsgaden has 17%.
Board of Equalization
This five-member group is the nation’s only elected tax board. It advises county assessors, sets the taxable value of property owned by utilities and railroads, and hears some taxpayer appeals. Four districts are up for election this year: District 1, covering much of inland California; District 2, coastal California north of Los Angeles; District 3, representing the Los Angeles area; and District 4, which encompasses the San Diego area.
Who’s ahead in District 1: Republican state Sen. Shannon Grove and Democrat Nelson Esparza, a member of the Fresno City Council, will face off in the general election.
Who’s ahead in District 2: With 64% of votes counted as of 11 a.m. Sunday, Democratic incumbent Sally J. Lieber will be advancing to the general election with 53% of the vote. Democrat John Pimentel is in second with 15%.
Who’s ahead in District 3: With 77% of votes counted as of 11 a.m. Sunday, Democratic Assemblyman Mike Gipson will be advancing to the general election. Democrat Samuel P. Sukaton is in second with 17%.
Who’s ahead in District 4: With 73% of votes counted as of 11 a.m. Sunday, Republican Denis Bilodeau will advance to the general election. Democratic state Sen. Tom Umberg is in second with 20%.
