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

Candidates in California's crowded gubernatorial race made a final push for votes Tuesday, as three leading contenders sought to distinguish themselves in a closely watched primary.

Tom Steyer and Xavier Becerra made last-minute campaign stops in SoCal in a final push for California governor. Meanwhile, Steve Hilton asked Chad Bianco to drop out of the race.

Supporters shook hands and rallied voters as polling opened, underscoring the urgency of an election.

"There are really only three people for two spots," billionaire businessman Tom Steyer said.

Steyer, who has poured more than $200 million of his personal fortune into the race, campaigned Tuesday morning along Los Angeles' new D-Line extension, greeting riders and emphasizing his campaign message.

"I've been trying really hard to work for California people, taking no money from corporations. They're spending tens of millions of dollars against me, but I recognize that the people can't afford to live here anymore," he said.

Steyer, polling in third place, is attempting to overtake Republican Steve Hilton, who is working to consolidate conservative voters and prevent two Democrats from advancing to the November election.

California has not had a Republican governor in 15 years after former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger left office in 2011.

"People are done with all the taxes and chaos and the crime and the homeless, the high cost of gas and the high cost of housing," he said. "It's obvious we need change in California, and this is our moment to get it."

Both candidates remain behind former state Attorney General and Biden cabinet member Xavier Becerra, who has made fewer public appearances in recent days but continues to campaign on addressing the state's housing crisis.

"On my first day as governor, I will declare California's housing shortage a state of emergency," he said. "No more studies, no more task forces. We have homes to build right now."

The gubernatorial primary has surpassed $315 million in ad spending and reservations, according to AdImpact, making it the most expensive governor's race on record.

Vote counting was underway in Santa Clara County on Tuesday, with some of the first ballots collected from a drop box outside the Registrar of Voters' Office.

Vote counting was underway in Santa Clara County on Tuesday, with some of the first ballots collected from a drop box outside the Registrar of Voters' Office.

"The polls are open. We're very excited. We're expecting a robust turnout Tuesday," said Matt Morales, the Santa Clara County registrar of voters.

Guye Brame of San Jose was among the first to vote in person.

"I just recently moved, so it's best to come here, knock it out, and get over with," Brame said.

But for Brame, participating in the election carried deeper meaning.

"For my kids, ancestors, you know, to be black in America today. It was important to make it the first thing in my day, before I get working and making a living," he said.

The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters said the office has seen a steady stream of ballots since early voting began in May, with up to 20% of voters submitting ballots before polls opened on Election Day.

"There's been a lot of reports that voters are holding on to their ballots until the last minute as they're trying to choose who they're gonna vote for governor, so we are very excited to see a lot of turnout Tuesday," Morales said.

Officials allowed a behind-the-scenes look at how ballots are processed and counted. The work is expected to continue through the day and after polls close at 8 p.m.

"Right when the polls close at 8 p.m. we'll post our initial results, which are all the early votes, the early ballots that came back in, but and then throughout the night we'll be updating with the results are coming back from the vote centers," Morales said.

With hours remaining before polls close, Morales also urged voters to participate.

"It is important that voters get out there, advocate for their values, you know, make the choices that they want to see in their community, and that all starts at the ballot box," he said.

The registrar said workers will continue tallying votes through the weekend until every ballot is counted.

Tom Steyer, the former hedge fund manager turned climate activist, spent nearly $200 million of his money on advertising alone.

The billionaire's ad campaign was the most expensive in the country by far this election cycle. The data comes from advertising tracker AdImpact.

MORE: Billionaire Tom Steyer's ad spending breaks records in California governor's race

Steyer's rivals in the governor's race and his critics have accused him of trying to buy the election.

But he's defended his spending, saying he is fighting against powerful corporate interests that are driving up the price of living in the state. Pacific Gas & Electric, a major California utility, is among the corporations and business interests funding anti-Steyer ads.

"I'm only working for the people of California," Steyer said last week.

By any measure, Bass' first term has been challenging. The worst wildfire in city history began while she was traveling with a presidential delegation in Ghana. Homelessness continues to be a challenge.

"I haven't always got it right," Bass says.

But now she wants a second term, which would allow her to keep leading the city of 4 million people as it hosts the Olympics in 2028.

Bass is facing challenges from the left and the right. Progressive city council member Nithya Raman and Republican reality television personality Spencer Pratt are among the 14 names on the ballot.

With so many candidates, no one is likely to get a majority of the vote on Tuesday, meaning the election would be settled by a November runoff between the top two.