Palm Desert Voter Guide: What's On The June 2 Ballot

PALM DESERT, CA — The June 2 Statewide Direct Primary Election is drawing significant attention to Riverside County as voters here weigh key races that could shift the power balance in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.

Primary ballots will land in voters' mailboxes starting next week.

Governor's Race

Perhaps the most watched contest is the gubernatorial race, featuring Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. It’s 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 amid allegations of sexual assault, the major storyline has been the possibility that two Republican candidates — Bianco and former Fox News commentator Steve Hilton — might emerge from the primary as dozens of Democrats divide the vote. In California, the top two vote-getters in the primary — regardless of party preference — advance to the November general election.

The race has become one of the most unpredictable in political history, and with just one month left before the primary election, the slate of leading contenders to succeed outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom continues to evolve.

Though more than 60 gubernatorial candidates are on the ballot, only a few are 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, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and State Superintendent Tony Thurmond are ahead in the crowded pack, according to polls.

Congressional Races

Riverside County voters are also weighing 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's 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 is 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 respective campaigns has spent significant ad dollars this primary season, in what appears to be a contest of who is 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 could look beyond their party, including at one of these 40th District candidates:

• Nina Linh (No Party Preference), a businesswoman
• Francis Xavier Hoffman (Democrat), an attorney
• Joe Kerr (Democrat), a retired firefighter captain
• Lisa Ramirez (Democrat), an immigration attorney
• Esther Kim-Varet (Democrat), a businesswoman and educator
• Claude M Keissieh (Democratic), retired Army officer

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 has President Donald Trump's backing.

Just one other Republican is 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 include:

• Teacher and Nuview school board member Abel Chavez (Democrat)
• Navy officer and educator Ammar Campa-Najjar (Democrat), who has twice nearly defeated Issa in prior bids for his seat

• Small business owner Ferguson Porter (Democrat)

• Small business owner Brandon Riker (Democrat), who is endorsed by Rep. Ro Khanna

• Civil rights organizer Luis F. Reyna (No Party Preference)

• Energy systems executive Stephen Clemons (Democrat)
• California Board of Equalization member Mike Schaefer (Democrat)
• Digital marketing executive Eric Shaw (Democrat)
• San Diego City Council Member Marni von Wilpert (Democrat), who has support from local labor unions
• Vista City Council Member Corinna Contreras (Democrat)

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 includes much of the desert in Riverside and Imperial counties.

Running against Ruiz are:

• Hemet City Council Member Joe Males (Republican)

• Small business owner Ceci Andrade Truman (Republican)
• Retired electrical worker Ronald Huffman (Republican)

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, are also on the primary ballot, but many will be watching nonpartisan contests for the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. Second District Supervisor Karen Spiegel (Corona/Lake Elsinore) squares off against challenger Sukhbir Singh Gill; Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez (Coachella Valley) is facing a challenge from La Quinta City Council Member Steve Sanchez; while Fifth District Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez (Pass Area) is running uncontested.

Murrieta Valley Unified School District

Additionally, a vacant seat on the Murrieta Valley Unified Board of Trustees is being voted on during the June 2 primary. Candidates Elliot Emmer and Julie Vandegrift face off for the Trustee Area 3 seat.

How To Vote In The June 2 Primary Election

• County elections officials must begin mailing out primary ballots by Monday, May 4, and ballot drop-off boxes will pop up statewide the next day.
• The last day to register to vote online for the primary election is May 18. After that, voters must complete same-day registration to vote in person at polling locations or county election offices.
• Early voting begins May 23 when vote centers open.
• Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day. Those unsure if their ballot will make it in the mail in time can also bring their ballots to any polling location in the state or a ballot drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Click here to find locations in Riverside County.
• Traditional in-person voting: Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on June 2. Click here to find your polling location.

Related election coverage:

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Swalwell Resigns From Congress Amid Sexual Assault Allegations

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