California election 2026: Governor's race, LA mayoral showdown as millions vote early

Voters across the Golden State will be weighing in on several statewide races. Reporter Betty Yu, live tonight here in the studio with more on this final push to the polls. It is game time, Betty. That's right, and these candidates, they're making their final pitch to voters. Here in California, more than 6 million ballots have already been cast, according to the Secretary of State's office. That's more than a quarter of the voters who were sent ballots by mail, with Election Day now just two days away. With just two days until Election Day, voters are heading to the polls. I have a really busy work week coming up, so today was convenient. I saw the sign as I was driving by, and I came back home, got my ballot, and dropped it off. And that early voting trend is playing out across the country. As of Sunday, more than 53 million Americans had already cast their ballots, according to the University of Florida, surpassing early voting totals from the 2022 midterms. In California, one of the biggest decisions is who will succeed Governor Gavin Newsom, who is finishing his second and final term. Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host, is facing Democrat Javier Becerra, the former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary and California Attorney General. Both candidates are making the cost of living a central issue in their campaigns. Hilton visited the fire-damaged Pacific Palisades neighborhood Sunday, where he laid out plans to lower costs for Californians. You think? Gas prices can't get any higher under Javier Becerra. You'll get $8 gas, with me, $3 gas. You think taxes can't get any higher? Under Javier Becerra, your taxes are going through the roof, starting with his mileage tax. With me, your first $150,000 tax free. Becerra also campaigned in Los Angeles Sunday, emphasizing his experience in state and federal government and his plans to make California more affordable. The cost of living is hitting us hard, and Trump's war tax and tariff taxes make the hit even harder. But this is California. Where no problem is too great to solve and no person too small to matter. That's why I'm running to deliver a California we can afford. In Los Angeles, the race for mayor is a dead heat. Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass cast her ballot Sunday as she makes her final push for re-election. I was born and raised here. I have devoted my entire life to service of this city versus Nithya Raman, who has been in Los Angeles for 13 years, clearly has shown she doesn't know the city, and she's been in City Hall. Twice as long as I have. Face-to-face is city council member Nithya Raman, a former political ally. Raman recently questioned whether the mayor can take credit for declining homelessness in some neighborhoods. When it's in my district, she gets the credit. When numbers go up across the entire city, it's not her fault. So which is it? Are you in charge or are you not? And both candidates for governor have more campaign stops planned tomorrow. Steve Hilton will be in Huntington Beach, while Javier Becerra will be in Los Angeles before returning to Sacramento, where he plans to hold his election night party Tuesday. A lot of issues, a lot of races. Any last-second items you want to pass along to the voters there at home? Well, of course, there's still time to vote on Election Day. Those polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. And if you plan to drop off your ballot, you can do so at any official drop box. Or voting center until 8 p.m. Tuesday. And, of course, the Secretary of State's office is saying do not wait until the last minute. Got it. Betty, appreciate it. Thank you.