California Primaries: Tensions Rise as Voting Approach
If the polls are accurate, the primaries for California’s governor and Los Angeles mayor are set to be nail-biters.
Republican Steve Hilton is currently leading the governor’s race, closely trailed by Democrats Tom Steyer and Xavier Becerra.
In the mayoral race, Mayor Bass and independent Spencer Pratt are neck and neck, with socialist councilor Nitya Raman noticeable ahead.
Yet, the landscape could shift dramatically, and soon.
With that in mind, a visit to two polling places in Beverly Hills on Monday aimed to capture the mood of voters.
Voters, while divided on their picks, shared common concerns that influenced their choices.
Homelessness, crime, and the cost of living were among the prominent issues, along with an overarching desire for change.
Take Nikki and Aiden, for instance. They were open to discussion but preferred to keep their last names private.
Both expressed support for Pratt in the mayor’s race and Hilton for governor, emphasizing a need for a new approach to governance.
“We want to make our city better. The homeless crisis is really serious, and we feel like Spencer is the person to do something about it,” Aiden remarked.
Nikki nodded in agreement, mentioning her family’s backing for Pratt. Both men echoed the sentiment that it was time for change in the gubernatorial race, favoring Hilton.
“These two candidates are going to give us that in terms of housing, affordability, and everything else. We’re pretty excited about it,” Aiden added.
Kevin Danialifer, a Beverly Hills real estate agent, aligned himself with the Hilton-Pratt duo, advocating for transformation. He also voiced criticism towards Bass, deeming homelessness as Los Angeles’ biggest challenge.
“The bass hasn’t done much. Nobody’s noticed any changes,” he said bluntly.
Chloe Majdipour, a registered Democrat and lawyer, couldn’t vote in the mayoral race due to her Beverly Hills residency. Nevertheless, she declared she would vote for “Mr. Spencer” if given the chance.
“I’ve lived in Los Angeles all my life, and things have gotten worse,” Chloe reflected. “He has common sense and wants to make our city safe again. That’s really important to me.” Despite her party affiliation, she opted for Republican Hilton in the gubernatorial race, stating she had become more conservative since the last presidential election.
Carroll, a former law firm administrator, mentioned she would support Becerra for governor, praising him as “a very decent human being with no drama.” She appreciated his experience.
In the mayoral race, Carroll plans to stay with Bass, despite “issues” regarding the handling of past challenges like the 2025 fires and homelessness.
“I don’t think anyone else would be a good fit,” she asserted.
Antoinette and Mark Leos, a retired couple, found themselves divided in the gubernatorial election. Antoinette chose Becerra for his experience and political background, while Mark expressed his support for Steyer, drawn by the billionaire’s liberal and progressive policies. Both opted for Raman in the mayoral contest.
“I heard an interview with her on NPR, and she struck me as very intelligent,” Mark noted. “She really had her own way of dealing with problems. I liked what she had to say.”
