Update (0030ET): Voters in six states went to the polls today for key primaries. While many races followed expectations, California delivered notable early drama with slow-counting mail ballots still to come.California Governor (Top-Two Primary)The race to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom remains the biggest story. In a crowded nonpartisan jungle primary, early returns (approx. 45-50% counted) show:Steve Hilton (R) leading at ~26.7%Xavier Becerra (D) close behind at ~25.8%Tom Steyer (D) trailing at ~19.6%Chad Bianco (R) is further back. If trends hold, Hilton and Becerra are positioned to advance to November - setting up a potentially competitive general election in deep-blue California. Mail ballots could still shift the order.Polymarket: Will Xavier Becerra advance? (Yes 93% · No 7%) View on PolymarketLos Angeles Mayoral PrimaryIncumbent Karen Bass (D) leads with ~36.5-38% (46%+ counted), followed by a strong surge from Spencer Pratt (R) at ~30%. Nithya Raman (D) trails at ~20%. Bass and Pratt are heavily favored to advance to the November runoff. Pratt’s performance reflects voter frustration with homelessness, crime, and city governance.Pre-election Polymarket: Will Karen Bass win the 2026 LA mayoral election? (Yes 68% · No 33%) View on PolymarketIowaU.S. Senate (open seat): Rep. Ashley Hinson (R) won the GOP nomination decisively. State Rep. Josh Turek (D) won the Democratic nod. This sets up a key battleground race in November.Governor (open): Early leads for Republican Zach Lahn in the crowded GOP field; Democrat Rob Sand unopposed.Other Notable RacesMontana Senate (open): Kurt Alme (R) secured the GOP nomination.California’s 11th Congressional District (replacing Nancy Pelosi): Scott Wiener (D) won with a strong lead.New Jersey: Rebecca Bennett advanced in NJ-7; progressive Adam Hamawy won the open NJ-12.Overall Takeaway: A night of outsider energy and tight races, particularly in California. Full results may take days or weeks due to mail-in ballots. These outcomes will shape the November midterms.* * *Authored by Joseph Lord via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),The California gubernatorial and Los Angeles mayoral primaries are among the most closely watched races today.A voter fills out a ballot at a polling station in Des Moines, Iowa, on Nov. 6, 2018. Joshua Lott/Getty ImagesVoters in six states will go to the polls today for a series of key races.The biggest item of the night will be the litany of races in California, the nation's largest state. Others will be held in Iowa, Montana, New Mexico, New Jersey, and South Dakota.Here are the most important races to watch.California GovernorThe race to replace outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom is one of the most-watched in the nation.California's gubernatorial elections are designed to be nonpartisan. With about six candidates polling with at least 5 percent support, only the top two vote-getters will be on the general gubernatorial election ballot in November, even if both are of the same party.In the final weeks leading into the primary, the election underwent a total shake-up when front-runner Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) left the race - and Congress - following multiple allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault. Swalwell has denied the allegations.Currently, the Democratic front-runners are former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra and billionaire Tom Steyer. The two are polling close, although Becerra retains a slight advantage.Will Xavier Becerra advance from the 2026 California Governor primary election?