RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The polls are closed in Riverside County, and the 2026 Statewide Direct Primary Election results are coming in.
Live, updated countywide primary election results are below (use the scroll bar to the right to see all races and refresh for the latest). If you can't see the real-time tallies, click here.
Governor's Race
The most-watched contest is the gubernatorial race, featuring Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. It was a political dogfight plagued by scandal, partisan infighting, and a lack of clear frontrunners.
Beyond the swift rise and fall of Democratic former Rep. Eric Swalwell, who ended his gubernatorial campaign and congressional career earlier this year amid allegations of sexual assault, the major storyline was the possibility that two Republican candidates — Bianco and former Fox News commentator Steve Hilton — could emerge from the primary as dozens of Democrats divided the vote. In California, the top two vote-getters in the primary — regardless of party preference — advance to the November general election for a runoff.
The race was one of the most unpredictable in political history, with the slate of contenders to succeed outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom, whose term ends this year.
Though there were more than 60 gubernatorial candidates on the ballot, only a few were considered viable. In addition to Republicans Bianco and Hilton, Democrats Tom Steyer, former state Attorney General Xavier Becerra, former Rep. Katie Porter, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa led the crowded pack, according to polls.
Congressional Races
Riverside County voters also weighed in on congressional races, including two key contests: the 40th and 48th Districts.
Nationally, Republicans are entering the 2026 November midterms with only a slight majority over Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Redistricting and retirements have added significant uncertainty about which party will wrest control. All 435 House seats are up for election this year.
In November 2025, 64.4% of California voters approved Proposition 50, which redrew the state's congressional districts in favor of Democrats.
Here's what to know about key Congressional races in Riverside County:
40th Congressional District
It was a showdown, because at least one incumbent House Republican will be out of a job when the dust finally settles in this newly drawn district that encompasses Canyon Lake, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Murrieta, and Wildomar in Riverside County, and Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, and Villa Park in Orange County.
The race was an intraparty fight between Reps. Ken Calvert (R-Riverside County) and Young Kim (R-Orange County). Kim was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2020, while Calvert was first elected in 1992.
Each of their campaigns spent significant ad dollars this primary season, in what appeared to be a contest over who was the most Trumpian MAGA of all.
The messaging might work in what is a fairly red district, but Trump's poll numbers have taken a hit amid unpopular election-year issues such as the Middle East conflict and rising prices at home. Some fatigued GOP voters might have looked beyond their party, including at one of these 40th District candidates:
48th Congressional District
Redistricting turned this historically Republican-held district into a real possibility for Democrats. Now it encompasses much of San Diego County and a large swath of Riverside County from Temecula to Palm Springs.
Rep. Darrell Issa (R) has long held the district, but he decided not to run for reelection this year and instead endorsed San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond, who also had President Donald Trump's backing.
Just one other Republican was on the ballot, Kevin Patrick O'Neil, a computer software engineer. It appears unlikely the two GOP candidates will split the ticket for a November runoff. Instead, a Democrat, or perhaps a No Party Preference candidate, is expected to garner the #1 or #2 spot, or possibly both, in the primary race.
The non-GOP candidates in the 48th District race included:
Other Congressional races eyed in Riverside County include the 25th, which features incumbent Rep. Raul Ruiz (D). The 25th District stretches through Banning and Beaumont, and much of the desert in Riverside and Imperial counties. Palm Desert is in the newly drawn 25th.
Running against Ruiz were:
The 39th Congressional District race is also being watched in Riverside County. It features incumbent Mark Takano (D) against Republican challenger Steve Manos, who serves on the Lake Elsinore City Council. The 39th District includes the cities of Jurupa Valley, Moreno Valley, Perris, and Riverside.
Riverside County Board of Supervisors
Other races, including state Assembly and state Senator, were also on the primary ballot, but many people are watching nonpartisan contests for the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. Second District Supervisor Karen Spiegel (Corona/Lake Elsinore) squared off against challenger Sukhbir Singh Gill; Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez (Coachella Valley) faced a challenge from La Quinta City Council Member Steve Sanchez; while Fifth District Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez (Pass Area) ran uncontested.
Murrieta Valley Unified School District
Additionally, a vacant seat on the Murrieta Valley Unified Board of Trustees was voted on during the June 2 primary. Candidates Elliot Emmer and Julie Vandegrift faced off for the Trustee Area 3 seat.
Final primary election results will be certified July 2. (To watch live Riverside County ballot counting, click here.)
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