New Leader In Key CA Race After More Ballots Counted

Republican Assemblyman Josh Hoover has taken a commanding lead in California’s 7th Assembly District primary, giving conservatives another encouraging sign in a state long dominated by Democratic politics.

Voters in Folsom, Rancho Cordova, Citrus Heights, and surrounding communities went to the polls Tuesday to decide who would advance in the race for the district.

According to early results from the California Secretary of State’s Office, Hoover, the Republican incumbent, was leading with roughly 54 percent of the vote as of 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Democratic candidate Amy Slavensky followed with about 44 percent.

Based on reporting from the Associated Press, Hoover and Slavensky are expected to face each other in November.

The seat became a Republican pickup in 2022 when Hoover flipped it from Democratic control, making the district an important battleground for both parties. His strong showing in the primary suggests the GOP may be well positioned to defend the seat despite California’s heavily Democratic political environment.

Hoover, who lives in Folsom, hosts the political podcast “Point of Order” and serves as a member of the bipartisan California Problem Solvers Caucus. Before joining the Assembly, he worked as chief of staff to Kevin Kiley when Kiley served in the California Legislature.

Slavensky, his Democratic challenger, recently came out of retirement to become interim deputy superintendent for the San Juan Unified School District. She previously retired in 2021 after serving as superintendent of the Amador County Unified School District.

Hoover’s lead comes during a week in which California’s election system is again facing criticism after several closely watched races took place Tuesday night.

Democratic leaders in the state have warned that it could take weeks to count all ballots, raising fresh concerns among voters who want timely, transparent election results.

The most closely watched contest is unfolding in Los Angeles, where incumbent Democratic Mayor Karen Bass failed to reach the 51 percent needed to win outright, forcing a runoff in November.

Even more notable is the battle for second place between Republican Spencer Pratt, a former reality television personality, and Democratic City Council member Nithya Raman.

As of Thursday morning, Pratt was ahead, leaving Raman with a major vote deficit to overcome.

Roughly 62 percent of the vote had been counted as of Wednesday night.

According to The New York Times, the totals stood as follows Thursday morning:

–Karen Bass — 183,701 (35%)
–Spencer Pratt — 157,116 (29.9%)
–Nithya Raman — 119,809 (22.8%)

If the numbers hold, Pratt will face Bass in November, setting up a political showdown few expected in one of America’s most reliably Democratic cities.

No Republican has won the Los Angeles mayor’s race in more than three decades. But Pratt’s strong performance shows that frustration with progressive governance may be breaking through even in deep-blue territory.

The votes already cast for Pratt reflect growing anger among Angelenos over crime, homelessness, disorder, economic decline, and years of Democratic control that many residents believe have left the city weaker and less safe.

The political tension escalated after Pratt accused Bass of violating election law near a ballot drop box before the June 2 primary election.

Pratt announced the complaint Tuesday in a post on X.

“Karen Bass just violated election law here,” Pratt wrote.

“She is so accustomed to breaking the law with no accountability, she even filmed herself doing it. Well, those days are over. We just filed a formal complaint for illegally gaming the election. We must protect our democracy.”

Pratt argued that Bass violated rules designed to prevent electioneering near voting locations.

“Electioneering within 100 feet of a ballot box is AGAINST THE LAW. Soliciting votes at a ballot box is AGAINST THE LAW,” he wrote.

“These clear violations show a reckless disregard for the rule of law and our democratic process.”

Pratt then accused Bass of acting as though elected officials are not bound by the same rules as everyone else.

“A person in a position of power such as Bass should be especially respectful of our democratic laws, but this is just emblematic of Karen’s mafia-like regime. It’s ‘rules for thee, but not for me,’” Pratt said.

Pratt included a photograph of the complaint filing in his post and vowed to pursue the issue.

Under California law, candidates and campaign workers are prohibited from electioneering within 100 feet of a ballot drop box.

The complaint centers on a campaign video posted by Bass that appeared to show her encouraging supporters to vote while standing near a ballot box.

A spokesperson for Bass dismissed the complaint and questioned Pratt’s campaign.

Taken together, the results in California point to a state where Democratic control is no longer producing automatic confidence from voters. In the 7th Assembly District, Hoover is showing Republican strength in a competitive seat. In Los Angeles, Pratt is turning frustration with the city’s direction into real electoral momentum.

For California Republicans, the message is clear: even in hostile political territory, voters are listening when candidates focus on public safety, accountability, affordability, and basic competence.

For Democrats, the warning signs are harder to ignore. Slow ballot counts, election complaints, urban decline, and unexpected Republican strength are all colliding at once.

California may still be a blue state, but this week’s results suggest the political ground is not as stable as Democrats would like to believe.