Hilton-Steyer, Pratt-Raman Races Await Mail Ballot Counts
Several major California races remained unsettled after the June 2 primary, with election officials continuing to tally ballots in contests that will help determine the November matchups for governor and Los Angeles mayor.
The closest watch has been on two pairs of candidates: Paris Hilton versus Tom Steyer in the governor’s race, and Spencer Pratt versus Nithya Raman in the Los Angeles mayoral contest. Updated counts have shifted the margins, but the outstanding vote has kept both races from being finalized.
CBS News reported that Pratt’s lead over Raman has continued to shrink as additional results were released, underscoring how incremental updates can change the picture in a tight race. The continued count has also kept attention on the still-unresolved governor contest involving Hilton and Steyer, with voters waiting for clarity on who will move forward.
The New York Times also tracked the statewide primary results, while NBC Los Angeles projected that Xavier Becerra advanced to the November runoff in the governor’s race. That projection clarified at least one slot in the November contest, while leaving other positions in the field still dependent on the remaining count.
These developments matter because California’s top offices shape policy far beyond the state, from housing and homelessness strategies in Los Angeles to statewide decisions on budgets and regulation. With results unresolved, campaigns, donors, and political organizations are unable to fully lock in general election plans, staffing, and spending decisions.
In Los Angeles, the mayor’s race carries immediate stakes for the city’s response to homelessness, public safety staffing, and large-scale infrastructure projects. A narrowing margin between Pratt and Raman means the final tally could determine not just who advances, but how each campaign frames its message heading into November.
Statewide, uncertainty in the governor contest affects the political landscape for down-ballot races as well, including legislative and local contests that often take cues from the top of the ticket. With Becerra projected to have advanced, the remaining question is which other candidate will secure a place alongside him, depending on the final count.
Election officials in California typically continue counting after Election Day as mail ballots postmarked by Election Day arrive and are verified, and as provisional ballots are processed. CBS News said additional results are expected as the vote count continues, but final outcomes depend on when counties complete verification and tabulation.
The next updates will come through scheduled county releases and statewide reporting as more ballots are processed. Until the count is complete, margins may continue to move, particularly in races where the gap is small and outstanding ballots remain.
For now, California’s political map is still being drawn, and the winners in these tight contests will be decided by the final batches of verified ballots.
