CA-LG: Democrat Ma and Republican Romero in a close race for lieutenant governor
Two candidates for California’s second-highest job were virtually tied in the race for lieutenant governor as votes trickled in early Wednesday.
State Treasurer Fiona Ma, a Democrat, and former state legislator Republican Gloria Romero were leading a tight pack of mostly Democratic hopefuls with nearly 20% each. Newsom cabinet official Josh Fryday followed with about 14%.
The lieutenant governor is mostly a ceremonial position with a lukewarm reputation in Sacramento. But the No. 2 job in the state has been used as a slingshot to the governor’s office before, drawing in four major candidates eager to replace Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, who terms out this year.
Ma, Fryday and former Stockton Mayor Tubbs are the leading Democratic candidates in a top-two primary that will send two candidates on to the November general election. Fryday, who heads volunteer programs for the state, has amassed the biggest treasure chest — nearly $4 million — and is backed by teachers unions and the governor.
https://calmatters.org/politics/2026/06/california-primary-lieutenant-governor/