American urban planner and LA Council member
The New York Times reports that campaign donations in Los Angeles show a split: Spencer Pratt has raised nearly $3.75 million with a small share from inside LA, while incumbent Karen Bass and Councilmember Nithya Raman have locally concentrated support and have accessed public matching funds.
California has held its jungle primary today, June 2, 2026, to narrow a crowded field for governor, Los Angeles mayor and new congressional districts. Polling had placed Democrat Xavier Becerra, Democrat Tom Steyer and Republican Steve Hilton near the top; results will determine whether Democrats avoid splitting the vote and how the new map reshapes House races.
Voters in California have driven a top-two primary outcome across major contests, with Steve Hilton emerging as a leading candidate for governor and Mayor Bass facing competition from Spencer Pratt. Voters say homelessness, crime and affordability are driving concerns, while many weigh the best path to influence outcomes in November.
The Los Angeles mayoral primary remains undecided as ballots continue to be counted. Bass has advanced to the November runoff, while Raman has gained a narrow lead over Pratt for the second slot as mail ballots are tallied.
The Supreme Court is considering whether federal law requires ballots to be received by Election Day or merely mailed by it, affecting California’s seven-day postmark window and other state rules. Late counts are reshaping runoff prospects in Los Angeles and ongoing tally delays are prompting concern about timely results.
California’s open primary results are coming in with top-two contenders shaping the fall ballot. Officials warn that vote counts will be slow due to mail ballots and counting rules, while observers emphasize ongoing concerns about election timing and transparency.
The California vote count is under scrutiny as mail-in ballots keep the tally slow, while other states advance. California officials say delays stem from signature checks, handling a high volume of mail ballots, and staffing gaps, sparking cross‑party criticism and concerns about misinformation.
Open primary results show Nithya Raman has overtaken Spencer Pratt for the L.A. mayoral runoff spot, with Karen Bass leading the field. Counting mail ballots continues, keeping the outcome unsettled as of today.
Federal officials have suspended funding to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority amid a widening investigation into mismanagement and alleged fraud. LAHSA has faced audits and lawsuits over the handling of homelessness programs, with HUD warning that accountability standards must be met as the White House task force acts to curb improper spending. The move places pressure on local leaders to reform funding and oversight while continuing homelessness services.
A generational contest within California’s Democratic ranks is playing out in Sacramento, where long-time incumbent Doris Matsui faces a challenge from progressive Sacramento City Council member Jenny Vang. The race follows a broader intra-party push by younger Democrats in 2026 as older incumbents seek to fend off more energetic challenges. Matsui has secured the party endorsement but shows vulnerability after a high-stakes primary race.
Outside groups have poured billions into 2026 races, with AI, crypto and political power players spending to back or thwart candidates. In NY-12, Maryland’s MD-05, and beyond, pro- and anti-AI committees are influencing races as November approaches, while individual fortunes test the limits of soft money in a polarized landscape.
Washington, D.C. faces a pivotal mayoral race as candidates push back against federal intrusions under President Trump. Janeese Lewis George leads Kenyan McDuffie in the Democratic primary, positioning herself to become the city’s first socialist mayor. The contest now centers on affordability, public safety, and the city’s autonomy from federal oversight, with ranked-choice voting in play for the first time.
Progressive candidates endorsed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani have won three key Democratic primaries in New York, expanding the left’s influence in Congress. Brad Lander, Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez have defeated establishment-backed rivals in the 10th, 13th and 7th districts, with open seats in play and a broader shift underway.