Incumbent Democrat Mike Thompson, seeking a 15th term after redistricting shifted roughly half the district, led the June 2, 2026, jungle primary with approximately 39 percent of the vote. Republican Raymond Riehle placed second near 23 percent, while Democratic challenger Eric Jones, backed by progressive groups and emphasizing voter mobilization, finished third around 21 percent. Under California's top-two system, Thompson and Riehle advance to the November general election. Primary turnout patterns, candidate fundraising, and the moderate positioning of the longtime incumbent relative to intra-party competition shaped the final vote shares reported in the days after the primary.