- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
California 'Jungle' Primary Could Hand Governor's Race to Republicans
Democrats' comeback plans could be spoiled by a split field in the nation's most populous state.
Mar. 29, 2026 at 6:20pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
California's unusual nonpartisan primary system, known as the 'jungle primary,' could hand the governor's race to Republicans in 2026 as the Democratic field remains split among eight candidates. Recent polls show two GOP contenders, Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco, leading the pack, raising concerns among Democrats about a potential 'nightmare scenario' in the nation's most populous state.
Why it matters
California is a crucial battleground, and a Republican victory in the governor's race could have significant implications for the party's momentum heading into the 2026 midterm elections. The state's liberal majority is currently divided among multiple Democratic candidates, potentially allowing the two Republican frontrunners to advance to the general election.
The details
California's jungle primary system allows the top two finishers, regardless of party, to advance to the November general election. A recent Berkley ISG survey of over 5,000 registered voters showed conservative TV host Steve Hilton receiving 17% of the vote and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco holding 16%, leading the pack of eight Democratic contenders.
- The California primary is scheduled for June 2, 2026.
- The general election will take place in November 2026.
The players
Steve Hilton
A conservative TV host who is currently leading the polls in the California governor's race.
Chad Bianco
The Riverside County sheriff who is also polling strongly in the California governor's race.
What’s next
The California primary election will be held on June 2, 2026, and the general election will follow in November 2026. The outcome of the governor's race could have significant implications for the 2026 midterm elections.
The takeaway
California's unique jungle primary system, combined with a split Democratic field, raises the possibility of a Republican victory in the governor's race, which could disrupt the party's broader comeback plans for the 2026 midterm elections.
