Hoover holds edge in Folsom-area Assembly race as preliminary returns show top-two matchups forming across California
Early statewide primary election returns posted by the California Secretary of State on Tuesday night showed Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton narrowly holding the top two spots in California’s crowded race for governor, while Republican Assemblyman Josh Hoover held an early edge in the Folsom-area Assembly District 7 contest and preliminary congressional results across the state began shaping potential November matchups in all 52 U.S. House districts.
The results remain preliminary and are far from final. The governor numbers in this report reflect statewide results posted by the Secretary of State at 8:56 p.m. Tuesday, while the congressional results reflect U.S. House returns posted at 8:58 p.m. California’s statewide direct primary election will determine which two candidates in voter-nominated races advance to the November general election, regardless of party. With vote-by-mail ballots still arriving and county election offices continuing to process returns, close races could shift in the days ahead.
Governor’s race: Becerra, Hilton hold top two spots
In the governor’s race, early statewide returns posted at 8:56 p.m. by the California Secretary of State showed Becerra leading with 863,917 votes, or 26.1%, followed closely by Hilton with 853,641 votes, or 25.8%. Democrat Tom Steyer was third with 662,996 votes, or 20%, while Republican Chad Bianco followed with 378,133 votes, or 11.4%.
The governor’s race drew a large field as California voters begin the process of choosing a successor to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited. Becerra, a former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary and former California attorney general, led the first statewide count. Hilton, a former Fox News host and Republican commentator, was close behind as the leading Republican in the race. Steyer, a billionaire environmental activist and former presidential candidate, remained in third as the first major wave of statewide returns was reported.
Under California’s top-two primary system, party labels do not determine who advances. The two candidates with the most votes move on to November, meaning the general election could feature candidates from different parties or two candidates from the same party. That system made Tuesday night’s early returns especially important in the governor’s race, where multiple Democrats and Republicans divided the vote across a large field.
Assembly District 7: Hoover holds edge over Slavensky in Folsom-area contest
For Folsom-area voters, one of the most significant local contests is Assembly District 7, where Republican incumbent Josh Hoover led in Sacramento County’s initial unofficial results with 30,387 votes, or 53.47%. Democrat Amy L. Slavensky followed with 25,444 votes, or 44.77%, while American Independent candidate Sanaz Motamedi had 999 votes, or 1.76%.
The Assembly District 7 race is one of the region’s key legislative contests. Hoover represents a district that includes Folsom and surrounding Sacramento County communities, making the race especially relevant for local voters watching how representation at the Capitol could take shape heading into the November election.
State Senate District 6: Niello, Frame in front
In the State Senate District 6 race, Republican Roger Niello led the Sacramento County portion of the early count with 40,707 votes, or 55.56%. Democrat Sean Frame followed with 19,065 votes, or 26.02%, while Democrat Sara Velasco had 13,495 votes, or 18.42%. The race will continue to develop as additional ballots are counted across the district.
Congressional races
Congressional results also began to take shape Tuesday night across all 52 California U.S. House districts. The districtwide congressional results in this report reflect preliminary statewide returns posted by the California Secretary of State at 8:58 p.m. In the Folsom and Sacramento region, several races are of particular local interest, including districts that include portions of Sacramento, El Dorado, Placer, Yolo and San Joaquin counties.
Congressional District 1: Gallagher, McGuire top first returns
In Congressional District 1, Republican James Gallagher had 46.2%, followed by Democrat Mike McGuire with 38.5%.
Congressional District 2: Huffman out front, Valles second
In Congressional District 2, Democrat Jared Huffman had 60%, followed by Republican Angelita Valles with 8%.
Congressional District 3: Bera, Tucker set early pace
In Congressional District 3, Democrat Ami Bera led the districtwide early count with 35,293 votes, or 35.3%, followed by Republican Robb Tucker with 32,178 votes, or 32.2%. Republican Christine Bish followed with 12,169 votes, or 12.2%, while Democrat Heidi Hall had 11,502 votes, or 11.5%.
Congressional District 4: Thompson, Riehle hold top positions
In Congressional District 4, Democrat Mike Thompson had 39.2%, followed by Republican Ray Riehle with 22.8%.
Congressional District 5: McClintock, Masuda move ahead
In Congressional District 5, Republican Tom McClintock had 61.4%, followed by Democrat Michael Masuda with 24%.
Congressional District 6: Kiley, Pan ahead in tight regional race
In Congressional District 6, independent Kevin Kiley led early districtwide returns with 21,781 votes, or 24.9%, followed by Democrat Richard Pan with 19,897 votes, or 22.7%. Republican Michael Stansfield followed closely with 18,767 votes, or 21.4%, making the race one of the tighter early congressional contests in the Sacramento region.
Congressional District 7: Matsui, Vang draw top support
In Congressional District 7, Democrat Doris Matsui had 28,950 votes, or 32.6%, followed by Democrat Mai Vang with 22,821 votes, or 25.7%. Republican Zachariah Wooden followed with 20,079 votes, or 22.6%, while Republican Ralph Nwobi had 14,349 votes, or 16.2%.
Congressional District 8: Garamendi, Recile take top two
In Congressional District 8, Democrat John Garamendi had 43,316 votes, or 57.6%, followed by Republican Rudy Recile with 20,939 votes, or 27.9%.
Congressional District 9: Harder, McBride in November position
In Congressional District 9, Democrat Josh Harder had 67.5%, followed by Republican John McBride with 15.4%.
Congressional District 10: DeSaulnier, Frese pace the field
In Congressional District 10, Democrat Mark DeSaulnier had 59.9%, followed by Republican Jeff Frese with 14%.
Congressional District 11: Wiener, Chan take top spots
In Congressional District 11, Democrat Scott Wiener had 43.4%, followed by Democrat Connie Chan with 28.1%.
Congressional District 12: Simon, Joyce lead two-candidate race
In Congressional District 12, Democrat Lateefah Simon had 81%, followed by Democrat Jamie Joyce with 19%.
Congressional District 13: Gray, Lincoln rise to top
In Congressional District 13, Democrat Adam Gray had 42%, followed by Republican Kevin Lincoln with 28.5%.
Congressional District 14: Wahab, Hernandez ahead of crowded field
In Congressional District 14, Democrat Aisha Wahab had 36.2%, followed by Democrat Melissa Hernandez with 16.4%.
Congressional District 15: Mullin, Hoelter hold first and second
In Congressional District 15, Democrat Kevin Mullin had 61.4%, followed by Republican Charles Hoelter with 24.1%.
Congressional District 16: Liccardo, Soulé in top two
In Congressional District 16, Democrat Sam Liccardo had 70.2%, followed by Republican Peter Sundin Soulé with 13.8%.
Congressional District 17: Khanna, Phan draw strongest totals
In Congressional District 17, Democrat Ro Khanna had 60.9%, followed by Republican Jennie Ha Phan with 15.1%.
Congressional District 18: Lofgren, Lewis ahead
In Congressional District 18, Democrat Zoe Lofgren had 50.6%, followed by Republican Shane Lewis with 31.9%.
Congressional District 19: Panetta, Verbica in front
In Congressional District 19, Democrat Jimmy Panetta had 61.4%, followed by Republican Peter Coe Verbica with 22.1%.
Congressional District 20: Fong, Van Scotter hold top slots
In Congressional District 20, Republican Vince Fong had 67.6%, followed by Democrat Sandra Van Scotter with 29.5%.
Congressional District 21: Costa, Kirkland lead Central Valley contest
In Congressional District 21, Democrat Jim Costa had 43.7%, followed by Republican Kyle Kirkland with 27.2%.
Congressional District 22: Valadao, Villegas move ahead
In Congressional District 22, Republican David G. Valadao had 48.2%, followed by Democrat Randy Villegas with 29.9%.
Congressional District 23: Obernolte, Hodge take top positions
In Congressional District 23, Republican Jay Obernolte had 56.3%, followed by Democrat Tessa Lynn Hodge with 19.7%.
Congressional District 24: Carbajal, Smith ahead on Central Coast
In Congressional District 24, Democrat Salud Carbajal had 53.7%, followed by Republican Bob Smith with 38.9%.
Congressional District 25: Ruiz, Males hold top two
In Congressional District 25, Democrat Raul Ruiz had 58.4%, followed by Republican Joe Males with 21.2%.
Congressional District 26: Irwin, Gallucci set the pace
In Congressional District 26, Democrat Jacqui Irwin had 42.7%, followed by Republican Sam Gallucci with 21.1%.
Congressional District 27: Gibbs, Whitesides in close race
In Congressional District 27, Republican Jason Gibbs had 44%, followed by Democrat George Whitesides with 40.1%.
Congressional District 28: Chu, Verlato take top spots
In Congressional District 28, Democrat Judy Chu had 59.7%, followed by Republican April A. Verlato with 34.5%.
Congressional District 29: Rivas, Melendez ahead
In Congressional District 29, Democrat Luz Maria Rivas had 51.5%, followed by Republican Rudy Melendez with 28.5%.
Congressional District 30: Friedman, Meyers in first and second
In Congressional District 30, Democrat Laura Friedman had 51.7%, followed by Republican Scott Alan Meyers with 20.3%.
Congressional District 31: Cisneros, Ching pace the field
In Congressional District 31, Democrat Gil Cisneros had 58.5%, followed by Republican Eric Ching with 26.3%.
Congressional District 32: Thompson, Sherman nearly even
In Congressional District 32, Republican Larry Thompson had 37.6%, followed closely by Democrat Brad Sherman with 37.5%, making it one of the closest early congressional results in the state.
Congressional District 33: Aguilar, Vargas sit atop field
In Congressional District 33, Democrat Pete Aguilar had 53.9%, followed by Republican Stephanie M. Vargas with 18.9%.
Congressional District 34: Gomez, Gonzales-Torres in top two
In Congressional District 34, Democrat Jimmy Gomez had 48%, followed by Democrat Angela Gonzales-Torres with 24.1%.
Congressional District 35: Torres, Cargile hold top spots
In Congressional District 35, Democrat Norma J. Torres had 56.3%, followed by Republican Mike Cargile with 43.7%.
Congressional District 36: Lieu, Brignano ahead
In Congressional District 36, Democrat Ted W. Lieu had 59.6%, followed by Republican Houston Brignano with 17.9%.
Congressional District 37: Kamlager-Dove, Fedalizo take top positions
In Congressional District 37, Democrat Sydney Kamlager-Dove had 54.3%, followed by Republican Baltazar Fedalizo with 14.2%.
Congressional District 38: Solis, Casas in first and second
In Congressional District 38, Democrat Hilda Solis had 45.9%, followed by Republican Pedro Antonio Casas with 38.2%.
Congressional District 39: Takano, Manos hold top two
In Congressional District 39, Democrat Mark Takano had 56.6%, followed by Republican Steve Manos with 43.4%.
Congressional District 40: Calvert, Kim lead Republican-heavy field
In Congressional District 40, Republican Ken Calvert had 35.5%, followed by Republican Young Kim with 20.4%.
Congressional District 41: Clemmons, Sánchez nearly tied
In Congressional District 41, Republican Mitch Clemmons had 38.6%, followed closely by Democrat Linda Sánchez with 38.1%.
Congressional District 42: Garcia, Burley draw top support
In Congressional District 42, Democrat Robert Garcia had 54.3%, followed by Republican Brian Burley with 21.5%.
Congressional District 43: Waters, Morales move ahead
In Congressional District 43, Democrat Maxine Waters had 63%, followed by Republican Cristian Morales with 19.6%.
Congressional District 44: Barragan, Angel hold top two
In Congressional District 44, Democrat Nanette Diaz Barragan had 73.7%, followed by Republican Genevieve Angel with 26.3%.
Congressional District 45: Tran, Vo in top spots
In Congressional District 45, Democrat Derek Tran had 52.6%, followed by Republican Chuong V. Vo with 14.6%.
Congressional District 46: Correa, Pan lead Orange County race
In Congressional District 46, Democrat Lou Correa had 53.1%, followed by Republican David Pan with 34.5%.
Congressional District 47: Min, Le Roux out front
In Congressional District 47, Democrat Dave Min had 46.4%, followed by Republican Jenny Rae Le Roux with 24.2%.
Congressional District 48: Desmond, von Wilpert ahead
In Congressional District 48, Republican Jim Desmond had 41.2%, followed by Democrat Marni von Wilpert with 20.2%.
Congressional District 49: Levin, Kurdian hold first and second
In Congressional District 49, Democrat Mike Levin had 53.5%, followed by Republican Armen Kurdian with 28.5%.
Congressional District 50: Peters, Cohen in close order
In Congressional District 50, Democrat Scott Peters had 47.1%, followed by Republican Steve Cohen with 43.7%.
Congressional District 51: Jacobs, Cabrera take top two
In Congressional District 51, Democrat Sara Jacobs had 54%, followed by Republican Ricardo Cabrera with 41.3%.
Congressional District 52: Vargas, Belle ahead
In Congressional District 52, Democrat Juan Vargas had 54.6%, followed by Republican Jeff Belle with 37.1%.
Because congressional districts cross county lines, county-level results can provide only a partial snapshot of districtwide outcomes. The statewide districtwide results will continue to change as counties process additional ballots.
Board of Equalization District 1: Esparza, Grove in front
In the Board of Equalization District 1 race, Democrat Nelson Esparza led Sacramento County’s early count with 55,212 votes, or 36.75%. Republican Shannon Grove followed with 43,752 votes, or 29.12%, while Democrat Donald E. Williamson had 29,001 votes, or 19.30%. Republican Dusty Beach had 16,171 votes, or 10.76%, and Republican Nader F. Shahatit had 6,108 votes, or 4.07%.
Lieutenant governor: Ma, Fryday set early pace
In the statewide race for lieutenant governor, Democrat Fiona Ma led early returns with 509,890 votes, or 20.2%. Democrat Josh Fryday followed with 352,912 votes, or 14%. Republican Gloria Romero was also among the leading candidates in early returns.
Secretary of state: Weber, Wagner hold top spots
Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, a Democrat, led Sacramento County returns in her race with 86,635 votes, or 55.89%, while Republican Donald P. Wagner had 61,399 votes, or 39.61%.
Controller: Cohen, Morgan ahead
In the controller’s race, Democrat Malia M. Cohen led Sacramento County returns with 84,505 votes, or 54.78%, followed by Republican Herb W. Morgan with 63,490 votes, or 41.16%.
Attorney general: Bonta, Gates in front
In the attorney general’s race, Democratic incumbent Rob Bonta led Sacramento County’s early returns with 84,904 votes, or 54.06%. Republican Michael E. Gates followed with 64,392 votes, or 41%, while Green Party candidate Marjorie Mikels had 7,769 votes, or 4.95%.
Turnout and ballot counting
Sacramento County’s initial unofficial report showed 168,331 ballots counted out of 917,930 registered voters, for a turnout of 18.34% at the time of the first report. Those figures are expected to rise as additional ballots are processed.
The California Secretary of State reported that statewide results will continue to change throughout the canvass period as vote-by-mail ballots, provisional ballots, conditional voter registration provisional ballots and other ballots are tallied. County election officials must report final official results to the Secretary of State by July 3, and the Secretary of State is scheduled to certify the results July 10.
Sacramento County’s next major post-election update is scheduled for Friday, June 5. Additional updates are expected in the weeks ahead, and election results will not be final until certification.
Copyright © 2026, Folsom Times, a digital product of All Town Media LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
