As vote counting continues across California, several pivotal contests in the 2026 midterm elections have already been decided or are trending strongly in one direction. The state, traditionally a Democratic stronghold, has served as a significant testing ground for issues ranging from partisan redistricting to proposed taxes on high net worth individuals.
Democratic candidates have established decisive leads in multiple races that are considered essential for the party to gain control of the US House of Representatives. These outcomes follow a partisan redistricting measure approved by voters last year, which was promoted by Governor Gavin Newsom and designed to net Democrats five additional House seats.
In the agriculture-rich 22nd Congressional District in the Central Valley, progressive educator Randy Villegas is holding a commanding lead of approximately 30 percentage points over Republican incumbent David Valadao. Although The Associated Press has not yet officially called the race, the margin is substantial.
Similar trends are visible in other districts. In the 48th District near San Diego, Democrat Marni von Wilpert leads Republican Jim Desmond by about 20 points. Meanwhile, in the 14th District, progressive candidate Aisha Wahab is firmly ahead of fellow Democrat Melissa Hernandez. Wahab previously defeated Hernandez in a special election in September, becoming the first person of Afghan ancestry elected to Congress.
The race for the seat vacated by retiring Representative Nancy Pelosi in the San Francisco Bay Area is also trending Democratic. Moderate Democrat Scott Wiener leads progressive rival Connie Chan by roughly 10 points, with half of the total votes tallied so far.
The gubernatorial race concluded quickly with a victory for Democrat Xavier Becerra, the former state Attorney General. His win came immediately after the polls closed. His Republican opponent, British political commentator Steve Hilton, had argued that decades of Democratic control had led to high prices and public disorder.
Hilton attempted to highlight cost-of-living concerns by hosting campaign events with discounted petrol, but the strategy did not resonate with voters who largely attribute current high fuel prices to the war on Iran under President Donald Trump. Becerra’s victory marks another significant setback for Republicans in the state.
This defeat follows a failed Republican recall effort against Governor Newsom more than five years ago, which lost by a margin of over 20 points. The results are particularly notable given recent surprising Democratic wins in traditionally Republican states, including Texas, which had previously served as a consolation prize for Republicans locked out of power in California.
While the partisan races have produced clear outcomes, several ballot measures remain uncertain. Proposition 40, which would impose a one-time tax on the net worth of billionaires to fund healthcare and education, is currently trailing with 44 percent support against 56 percent opposition. The measure drew backing from progressives like Senator Bernie Sanders but faced significant opposition spending from wealthy donors.
In contrast, Proposition 39, which sought to institute voter ID laws favored by conservatives, has been officially rejected by voters, according to The Associated Press.
