What to watch in Tuesday’s primaries as Democrats try to defend California and make inroads in Iowa

California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra shakes hands with supporters during a campaign event in West Hollywood, Calif., Thursday, May 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)2026-06-02T04:01:07Z WASHINGTON (AP) — For a state that’s home to Hollywood, there isn’t much star power in California’s governor race. It’s a somewhat different story in Los Angeles, where a reality television personality is running for mayor as the city prepares to host the Olympics. More primaries are being held on Tuesday as well. Democrats are banking on a rare chance to regain ground in Iowa, a rural state that has repeatedly eluded them in recent years. Republicans, meanwhile, are grappling with a New Jersey congressman whose unexplained absence could put their already slim majority at risk. Here are some things to watch as voters in California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota cast ballots. California’s low-wattage race for governorRonald Reagan. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Jerry Brown. Gavin Newsom.The governor’s office in California typically attracts some of the highest-wattage names in politics, but not this year. Former Vice President Kamala Harris and Sen. Alex Padilla took a pass on the race. And with Newsom barred from seeking a third term, the campaign to succeed him turned into a sprawling, often messy contest.In the final stretch, much of the attention has focused on Democrats Xavier Becerra, the former congressman and state attorney general who was also health secretary under President Joe Biden, and Tom Steyer, a billionaire known for his climate activism. Republican Steve Hilton is campaigning with President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Under California’s primary system, all candidates appear on a single ballot and the top two finishers advance to the November general election, regardless of party. The absence of a front-runner incentivized virtually anyone with political ambition and a modicum of organization to join the race, leaving Democrats worried that their candidates would divide the vote and ultimately be shut out of the fall campaign. But those fears have eased in the primary’s closing weeks, with the party now expecting to secure at least one slot on the November ballot.The results could offer insight about how voters are feeling in a state where Democrats have dominated statewide elections for two decades. Read More Los Angeles mayor seeks to fend off reality star challenger In a city still recovering from the most destructive wildfire in its history, Mayor Karen Bass is in a tough fight for reelection. The mayor, who is a frequent target of Trump’s criticism, was in Ghana as part of a presidential delegation when the blaze began. She has acknowledged mistakes but has centered her campaign around a message of recovery and progress. Bass is facing a spirited challenge from reality television personality Spencer Pratt, who has blamed Bass for presiding over destruction that claimed his own home. Pratt, who rose to fame on “The Hills,” has shared videos created by artificial intelligence that show him taking on a superhero persona to battle street criminals and Democratic politicians. The race is officially nonpartisan, but Bass is a Democrat, as is progressive city council member Nithya Raman, who made a last-minute decision to challenge her one-time ally. Pratt is a registered Republican who has received a nod of approval — if not an outright endorsement — from Trump. Unless a candidate receives a majority of the vote in the primary, the top two will advance to a general election in November.Los Angeles hasn’t elected a Republican mayor since Richard Riordan won his second term in 1997, and the results will be closely watched for signs of dissatisfaction with liberal urban governance. The winner will emerge as a national and global figure as the city prepares to host the Olympics in 2028.Democrats look to Iowa to rebuild in the heartlandIowa wasn’t always a Republican stronghold.Before Trump reshaped American politics, this was the state the lifted the political career of Barack Obama and sent Tom Harkin to the Senate for five terms. The party is particularly excited about Rob Sand, who is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination for governor. A native of Decorah, Iowa, he has the rural roots that have become rare among Democrats. Perhaps most importantly, he’s a proven winner in a Republican-leaning state, having been elected twice as auditor. Republicans head into the primary with five candidates. Trump jumped in last week to endorse Rep. Randy Feenstra.This is the first open contest for the governor’s seat since 2006. Democrats are hoping that a combination of the economic fallout from Trump’s tariff policies, rising gas prices stemming from the Iran war and the lack of a Republican incumbent could give them their best opportunity in years. Sand also has a fundraising advantage over the Republicans, including Feenstra. State Rep. Josh Turek and state Sen. Zach Wahl

California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra shakes hands with supporters during a campaign event in West Hollywood, Calif., Thursday, May 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)2026-06-02T04:01:07Z WASHINGTON (AP) — For a state that’s home to Hollywood, there isn’t much star power in California’s governor race. It’s a somewhat different story in Los Angeles, where a reality…

California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra shakes hands with supporters during a campaign event in West Hollywood, Calif., Thursday, May 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)2026-06-02T04:01:07Z WASHINGTON (AP) — For a state that’s home to Hollywood, there isn’t much star power in California’s governor race. It’s a somewhat different story in Los Angeles, where a reality television personality is running for mayor as the city prepares to host the Olympics. More primaries are being held on Tuesday as well. Democrats are banking on a rare chance…