Election 2026 updates: Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton neck and neck in early results for CA gov race

Billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer told supporters he and his backers "know we finished really strong."

Billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer told supporters he and his backers "know we finished really strong."

Steyer pledged to advance progressive policies like universal healthcare and aggressive climate policy, ideas he reiterated as votes were still being tallied.

"We should have a system based on fairness, not on asking for fairness," he said.

Steyer's campaign spent or booked more than $203 million in ads for broadcast TV, cable and radio, yielding accusations from some that he had tried to buy the election.

But Steyer noted that major corporate interests, including a major California utility, dumped money into defeating him because he's the candidate willing to take them on.

"I welcome their hatred," Steyer said.

Results are starting to roll in for the race to replace ex-Congressman Eric Swalwell, and one California state senator has taken an early lead.

With nearly 40% of the vote, State Sen. Aisha Wahab is leading the race with 36% of the vote.

Former Dublin Mayor and BART Director Melissa Hernandez is in second with 16% of the vote.

Democratic State Senator Scott Wiener advances to the general election for California 11th Congressional District in a bid for Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi's seat. As of 9:45 p.m., he has 40,017 votes.

San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan, who was endorsed by Emerita Pelosi, is in second place with 26,443 votes.

Political newcomer Saikat Chakrabarti is in third with 13,154 votes.

And David Ganezer has 5,201 votes.

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan dropped out of the crowded 2026 California gubernatorial race.

He officially delivered his concession speech after the polls closed Tuesday night, saying his "job isn't done in San Jose yet," marking the end of his campaign for higher office.