Election 2026 updates: Latest on CA governor's race, Nancy Pelosi's seat and more

The governor's race has been the most wide open in a generation. More than 50 names are on the ballot.

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is banned by law from seeking a third term. Other candidates seeking to replace him include former Democratic U.S. Rep. Katie Porter,Democrat Matt Mahan, the mayor of San Jose, and Bianco, the Riverside County sheriff.

Rebecca Katz, a strategist with Steyer's campaign, said Sunday that they are "feeling pretty good" but emphasized how close the race was with a sporting reference, "It's three candidates for two spots, every possession counts."

Steyer, a former hedge fund manager turned liberal activist, has set spending records hoping to advance to the November contest. Hilton, a former Fox News host who has been endorsed by Trump, has promised to bring down costs in a state with some of the nation's highest gas prices, utility costs and taxes. Becerra has been stressing his experience in arguing he's best prepared to lead the nation's most populous state, having served as the Biden administration's health secretary, a former U.S. House member and state attorney general.

Broadly, Republicans in the race are promising drastic change after years of Democratic governance - Democrats haven't lost a statewide race in two decades and Republicans last elected a Los Angeles mayor in 1997. Democrats, though in charge for years, are promising to bring down costs and continue to fend off the Trump administration in its numerous conflicts with Democratic California.

The last time San Francisco voters had someone other than Nancy Pelosi representing them in Congress, there were no self-driving taxis on the streets, no AI ads competing for space around the tie-dye shop in Haight-Ashbury. The youngest San Franciscans who could have voted then are now nearing retirement age.

Pelosi had long been quiet about the race but became more explicit when she endorsed San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan weeks before the primary.

"I know and love this district. I know the Congress, and I know Connie," Pelosi said. "I'm proud to endorse Democrat Connie Chan and ask you to join me in electing her to Congress."

Despite Pelosi's endorsement, recent polls show the race remains tight with State Sen. Scott Wiener leading and former tech executive and former chief of staff for Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Saikat Chakrabarti close behind.

The top two vote-getters will keep this race going all the way to November.

One of the races that ABC7 Eyewitness News is following is the race to replace ex-congressman Eric Swalwell.

Swalwell did not run for his seat again, favoring a gubernatorial campaign instead, until multiple women came forward with allegations of sexual misconduct back in April.

Swalwell denied the allegations but still ended his campaign for governor and resigned from Congress.

The following candidates are on the June 2 ballot:

• Suzanne Chenault
• Carin Elam
• Melissa Hernandez
• Wendy Huang
• Dena Maldonado
• Matt Oretga
• Rakhi Israni Singh
• Aisha Wahab