Election 2026 updates: CA gov race remains close between Hilton, Becerra as count continues

With just under 50% of the expected votes counted, ABC News projects that incumbent Karen Bass will advance to the November runoff for Los Angeles mayor.

On Tuesday night, Bass was leading the pack with 37% of the vote. She would need over 50% of the vote to outright win the election and avoid a runoff.

ABC News has not yet projected who Bass' opponent will be in the November election. At last check, Spencer Pratt was in second place with 30% of the vote, followed by Nithya Raman with 21%.

Kate Porter, the only major female candidate in a crowded Democratic field for California governor, conceded in the race Tuesday night.

Katie Porter, the only major female candidate in a crowded Democratic field for California governor, conceded in the race Tuesday night.

Porter released her remarks in a social media video.

Her campaign focused on housing affordability and eliminating state income tax for middle-class residents, with an explicit platform to abolish ICE.

Porter was the only major candidate for governor that did not accept corporate donations.

Billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer told supporters he and his backers "know we finished really strong."

Billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer told supporters he and his backers "know we finished really strong."

Steyer pledged to advance progressive policies like universal healthcare and aggressive climate policy, ideas he reiterated as votes were still being tallied.

"We should have a system based on fairness, not on asking for fairness," he said.

Steyer's campaign spent or booked more than $203 million in ads for broadcast TV, cable and radio, yielding accusations from some that he had tried to buy the election.

But Steyer noted that major corporate interests, including a major California utility, dumped money into defeating him because he's the candidate willing to take them on.

"I welcome their hatred," Steyer said.

Results are starting to roll in for the race to replace ex-Congressman Eric Swalwell, and one California state senator has taken an early lead.

With nearly 40% of the vote, State Sen. Aisha Wahab is leading the race with 36% of the vote.

Former Dublin Mayor and BART Director Melissa Hernandez is in second with 16% of the vote.