California, Iowa, and Other States See Open Governor Races as Key Primaries Approach
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Open gubernatorial contests in California and Iowa headline a series of competitive primary elections across several states. In California, a crowded field is forming to succeed term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom, while Iowa sees its first open governor's race since 2006. Key Senate and mayoral races are also taking shape, with notable independent candidates emerging in some contests.
Facts First
- California's governor's race is open with Democratic candidates Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer and Republican Steve Hilton running.
- Iowa's governor's race is its first open contest since 2006, with Rob Sand unopposed for the Democratic nomination and five Republicans competing.
- Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faces challengers including Republican Spencer Pratt and progressive Nithya Raman in a race ahead of the 2028 Olympics.
- An independent candidate in Montana's Senate race, Seth Bodnar, has outraised both Democratic and Republican primary contenders.
- South Dakota's Senate race features Republican incumbent Mike Rounds, Democrat Julian Beaudion, and independent Brian Bengs.
What Happened
Open gubernatorial seats in California and Iowa are attracting candidates ahead of primary elections. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom is barred from seeking a third term. Democratic candidates include former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer. Republican Steve Hilton, who has received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, is also running. California uses a top-two primary system where all candidates appear on a single ballot.
In Iowa, the governor's race is the first open contest for the seat since 2006. Former State Auditor Rob Sand is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination. Five Republicans are competing in the GOP primary, where President Trump has endorsed U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra.
Other notable races include the mayoral election in Los Angeles, where incumbent Karen Bass is running for reelection against challengers including Republican reality television personality Spencer Pratt and progressive city council member Nithya Raman. In Montana's Senate race, independent candidate Seth Bodnar... has raised more money than the five Democratic primary candidates combined and more than Republican candidate Kurt Alme, who is backed by Donald Trump.
Why this Matters to You
If you live in one of these states, you may see a wider range of choices on your ballot this year due to open seats and competitive primaries. The outcomes could directly influence state policies on issues like healthcare, climate, and education. For residents of Los Angeles, the mayoral election could shape the city's preparations for hosting the 2028 Olympics.
What's Next
Primary elections in these states will determine which candidates advance to the November general election. In California and Los Angeles, the top-two finishers in the primaries will move forward unless a candidate receives a majority of the vote. The results may set up competitive general election matchups that could shift the balance of power in key state governments and in the U.S. Senate.