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All eyes turn to California on Tuesday as voters weigh the political future of Los Angeles Democratic Mayor Karen Bass and choose two finalists who will compete to succeed Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, a potential 2028 presidential candidate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Election Day marks the end of a rollercoaster primary season defined by wild twists and turns, scandals, and viral fumbles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The contest started with an unusually crowded and wide-open field after former Vice President Kamala Harris turned down the opportunity to lead the Golden State. Political analysts believed Democrats would have cleared the field as a goodwill gesture following her wipeout defeat against President Donald Trump.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n One by one, Republicans and Democrats threw their hats into the ring, including <\/span>Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco, plus Democrats Tom Steyer, Eric Swalwell, Katie Porter, Xavier Becerra, Matt Mahan, Antonio Villaraigosa, Betty Yee, Tony Thurmond, and several others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The first major shakeup came when a leaked viral video showed former Rep. Porter (D-CA) berating a congressional staffer, a controversy that has significantly set back her campaign.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c<\/span>Get out of my f*cking shot<\/span><\/a>,\u201d<\/span> Porter shouted at a staff member when making a video message for the Biden administration. The leftist, who made a name for herself by grilling billionaires with her whiteboard in Congress, has failed to catch any momentum since.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “GET OUT OF MY FUCKING SHOT!”<\/p>\n Video shows Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) chastising staffer in newly leaked video<\/p>\n pic.twitter.com\/COKJSv3yQ7<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Breaking911 (@Breaking911) October 8, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Eric Swalwell, the former Bay Area congressman, capitalized on Porter\u2019s collapse in the polls. He quickly amassed key Democratic endorsements and was widely viewed as the race\u2019s frontrunner.<\/p>\n But his hopes to lead California came crashing down following explosive allegations of sexual harassment and assault. Multiple campaign staffers accused their boss of sending sexually explicit social media messages and inappropriate behavior beyond the halls of Congress. Days later, he dropped his gubernatorial bid and resigned from Congress ahead of an expected expulsion vote.\u00a0<\/span>A fifth woman then accused Swalwell of rape<\/a> in 2018, alleging the lawmaker drugged and raped her in Southern California.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I am suspending my campaign for Governor.<\/p>\n To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I\u2019ve made in my past.<\/p>\n I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made \u2014 but that\u2019s my fight, not a campaign\u2019s.<\/p>\n \u2014 Eric Swalwell (@ericswalwell) April 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n As polling showed Republicans could lock out Democrats<\/a>, blue voters have appeared to consolidate behind two candidates: Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and billionaire Tom Steyer, who has poured nearly $200 million of his own money into the race, according to the Associated Press.<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Dan Schnur, who teaches political communications at USC and UC Berkeley, said Left-leaning voters appear spooked by the Swalwell scandal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBecerra is this year’s version of the Biden 2020 campaign. He is a stable, reassuring presence, and that seems to have attracted voters, Democratic voters who are worried about less familiar objects,\u201d Schnur told The Daily Wire. \u201cEric Swalwell was, it was a near-death experience for California Democrats.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Biden’s former HHS chief went viral for demanding a glowing profile from a local television reporter.<\/p>\n Awkward moment kicks off KTLA interview with Xavier Becerra. @CaliforniaICP<\/a> Full report: https:\/\/t.co\/UcMXzidzrf<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/OViYkfTg3t<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 KTLA (@KTLA) May 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Trump-endorsed Steve Hilton, a businessman and former Fox News host, has consolidated much of the Republican vote. However, Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco still has a durable base of about 9-12%, according to most polls.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Under California\u2019s \u201cjungle primary\u201d system, the top two vote-getters advance to the general election in November regardless of party.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhat he means more than anything else is for Bianco voters to decide they should not let their perfect be the enemy of the good,\u201d Schnur said. \u201cThere are a finite number of Republicans in California. The more they split their vote, the less likely either one of their candidates moves on to the general election.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In the Los Angeles mayoral race that has captured national attention, former reality television star and community advocate Spencer Pratt is challenging incumbent Mayor Bass and far-Left Councilmember Nithya Raman.<\/span><\/p>\n Pratt, a victim of the devastating January 2025 wildfires, has tapped into his savvy social media background to drive a message of change in a city plagued by chronic challenges, including homelessness, crime, and skyrocketing prices.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n They not like us pic.twitter.com\/78hducHDUE<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Spencer Pratt (@spencerpratt) April 29, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
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