California voters participated in primary elections on June 3, 2026, focusing on five newly redrawn congressional districts. These districts are viewed as critical battlegrounds for the upcoming general election, with both parties monitoring the outcomes closely due to the state's top-two primary system, which allows the two highest vote-getters to advance regardless of party affiliation.
Democrats are optimistic about their chances in these districts, which were reconfigured following the passage of Proposition 50, a ballot initiative that aimed to give Democrats an advantage in the midterm elections. The results of the primaries were not immediately available due to California's acceptance of mail-in ballots after Election Day, but early returns indicated that Democrats were likely to advance candidates in several key races.
The five targeted Republican incumbents included Doug LaMalfa, who passed away, Kevin Kiley, Darrell Issa, Ken Calvert, and David Valadao. Kiley, who switched to independent status, criticized the redistricting process, while Valadao faced a challenging reelection campaign in a district where Democrats have begun investing heavily.
In the 1st Congressional District, Assemblyman James Gallagher won a special election to succeed LaMalfa, securing approximately 55% of the vote. In the 6th District, Kiley was leading but faced a competitive race. Valadao advanced to the November runoff in the 22nd District, while Calvert won his primary in the 40th District, facing incumbent Young Kim. In the 48th District, Issa announced his retirement, with Jim Desmond and Marni von Wilpert advancing to the general election.
