BREAKING: NEW Leader Declared in California After Ballots Counted Overnight
Sacramento, California - June 4, 2026
Republican Incumbent Josh Hoover Leads in California’s 7th Assembly District Primary
Republican incumbent Josh Hoover holds a lead in the primary election for California’s 7th Assembly District, according to results released by the California Secretary of State’s office. With ballots counted as of Wednesday afternoon, Hoover has received approximately 54 percent of the vote, while Democratic candidate Amy Slavensky has received about 44 percent.
The two candidates are expected to advance to the November general election. Hoover, who first won the seat in 2022 when it shifted from Democratic to Republican control, hosts the political podcast “Point of Order” and serves as a member of the bipartisan California Problem Solvers Caucus. He previously worked as chief of staff to former Assemblymember Kevin Kiley and resides in Folsom.
Slavensky, who came out of retirement to serve as interim deputy superintendent for the San Juan Unified School District, previously retired in 2021 as superintendent of the Amador County Unified School District.
Los Angeles Mayoral Race Update
In the Los Angeles mayoral primary, incumbent Democrat Karen Bass received 35 percent of the vote with roughly 62 percent of ballots counted as of Wednesday night. Independent candidate Spencer Pratt received approximately 29.9 percent, and Democratic City Council member Nithya Raman received 22.8 percent.
Bass did not reach the 51 percent threshold required to win outright, setting up a likely runoff in November between Bass and Pratt. No Republican has won the Los Angeles mayoral race in more than three decades. Pratt’s performance reflects voter dissatisfaction in portions of the city amid ongoing challenges with public safety and governance.
California election officials have indicated that counting all ballots in several closely watched races could take additional time, with some Democratic leaders stating it may require weeks to finalize results statewide.
Election Complaint in Los Angeles Race
Pratt filed a formal complaint Tuesday alleging that Mayor Bass violated California election law by engaging in electioneering within 100 feet of a ballot drop box. The complaint is based on a campaign video posted by Bass in which she appears to encourage voting while standing near a ballot box.
Under California law, candidates and campaign workers are prohibited from electioneering within 100 feet of a ballot drop box. Pratt stated in a social media post that the video demonstrates a disregard for election rules.
“Electioneering within 100 feet of a ballot box is AGAINST THE LAW. Soliciting votes at a ballot box is AGAINST THE LAW,” Pratt wrote.
A spokesperson for Bass rejected the allegations, stating that the video was filmed in multiple locations and complied with election laws. One segment was recorded more than 200 feet from the ballot box, while another was filmed closer without campaign signs present, according to the spokesperson.
Pratt’s attorney has requested an investigation into the matter and submitted a similar complaint to state authorities. City and state officials have not yet announced whether they will open a formal review.
The results in both the Assembly District 7 race and the Los Angeles mayoral contest remain subject to additional ballot counting and potential challenges.
A powerful district attorney came to my house before dawn with a baseball bat and a sheriff carrying a fake warrant.
Daniel Brooks stepped through my broken doorway like a man who believed the law belonged to him.
Rain dripped from his suit.
A baseball bat hung from his right hand.
Behind him stood Sheriff Walker, broad shoulders filling the doorway, one palm resting near his belt as if intimidation were part of his uniform.
“Give me my son,” Daniel said.
Ethan shook so hard in my arms the blanket slipped from one shoulder.
I pulled it back around him and held him tighter against my cardigan.
His face was bruised.
One eye swollen.
Mud dried along his jaw where he had fallen running through the woods behind my house.
When Daniel’s voice hit the room, Ethan buried his face against me.
“Grandma,” he whispered. “Don’t let him take me.”
I felt the old part of myself wake fully.
Not the grandmother.
Not the widow.
The colonel.
The woman who had once sat in windowless rooms listening to men lie while entire operations depended on noticing which finger twitched first.
Daniel raised the bat slightly.
Sheriff Walker glanced at Ethan’s face.
For the first time, his confidence flickered.
Good.
He had not expected the boy to look that damaged under lamplight.
I kept my voice quiet.
“A warrant at three-thirty in the morning. You boys got sloppy.”
Daniel froze mid-step.
Sheriff Walker’s eyes moved to my covered hand beneath the knitting blanket.
A faint metallic click cut through the rain and police lights.
Daniel heard it.
His rage drained by a fraction.
“Evelyn,” he said, forcing calm. “You’re confused. Ethan ran away. I’m here to bring him home.”
Ethan made a small broken sound.
I looked at Daniel.
“No. You’re here because he saw the rug.”
Daniel’s mouth tightened.
Sheriff Walker stopped breathing for half a second.
That was enough.
I rose halfway from my chair with Ethan still tucked against one side of me.
My hidden hand stayed beneath the blanket.
“Come closer, Daniel.”
He did not.
For the first time since entering my house, the district attorney understood he was not standing in front of an old woman.
He was standing inside a trap he had helped build with his own arrogance.
