The California primaries held last week have become the center of a political storm, with President Donald Trump and other Republicans questioning the slow vote-counting process. The delay, which is typical in California due to its voter-friendly system and heavy reliance on mail-in ballots, has fueled conspiracy theories about election integrity.
Trump took to social media on Monday, claiming that it was “not possible for Spencer Pratt to have lost the L.A. runoffs after the big lead he had.” Pratt, a former reality TV contestant, was initially leading in the Los Angeles mayoral race but gradually lost ground to LA City Council Member Nithya Raman. The Associated Press called the race for Raman on Monday evening, but Trump’s claims of a “rigged election” have gained traction among some Republicans.
California’s Unique Election System Under Scrutiny
California’s top-two jungle primary system, where the two highest vote-getters advance to the general election regardless of party affiliation, has come under scrutiny. In heavily Democratic cities like Los Angeles, this system can result in two Democratic candidates facing off in the general election, leaving no Republican representation. This was the case in the Los Angeles mayoral race, where incumbent Karen Bass advanced to the general election alongside Raman.
The slow count has also affected the high-stakes gubernatorial race, where early results showed a tight contest among three candidates: Republican Steve Hilton and Democrats Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer. With many ballots still left to be counted, the outcome remains uncertain. Becerra and Hilton expressed confidence in advancing to the general election, while Steyer maintained he was still a contender.
The Broader Implications of Election Conspiracies
While Trump’s claims may seem like mere peanut-gallery commentary for now, they raise concerns about the potential impact on the midterms. The stakes will be far higher, and Trump’s rhetoric is already laying the groundwork for a more serious challenge to the election process. This renewed enthusiasm for election conspiracies among more mainstream Republicans is a worrying development.
Despite Trump’s claims, California’s elections will continue to play out slowly, whatever he says. However, a Trump-appointed assistant US attorney in California is soliciting “evidence” of voter fraud on conservative podcasts, adding another layer to the controversy.
The Chaotic California Primaries
The California primaries were marked by chaos, with a sprawling field of 61 gubernatorial hopefuls listed on the same primary ballot. The race to succeed term-limited Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom was unpredictable and fragmented, with no clear heir apparent. Prominent Democrats, including Senator Alex Padilla and Attorney General Rob Bonta, passed on the race, leaving a crowded field of ambitious but lackluster contenders.
The race was further complicated by California’s “jungle” primary system, which allowed for the possibility of two Republicans advancing to the general election. Voters cited frustrations with housing affordability, homelessness, wildfire risk, and the cost of living as they weighed competing visions for governing the state.
In Los Angeles, incumbent Mayor Karen Bass advanced to the general election, but her support had eroded after she was in Ghana on a diplomatic trip when deadly wildfires spread across Los Angeles in January 2026. Pratt, a political novice who rose to prominence on the reality TV show The Hills, decided to run for office after his Pacific Palisades home burned down in the fires. Raman, a one-time Bass ally, argued that the nation’s second-largest city was due for change.
As the count continues, the political drama in California is far from over. The outcome of the primaries will have significant implications for the state’s future and the broader political landscape.
