Votes are still being counted in the latest round of primaries
WASHINGTON (NBC, KYMA) - Votes are still being counted Wednesday morning after the latest round of primaries heading into this fall's midterm elections.
Voters in six states, including California, went to the polls Tuesday, deciding which candidates will face off in several important races.
Up for grabs: Races for governor, mayor, and even control of Congress, which Democrats need to pick up three seats in the House and four in the Senate to take control.
The sprint to this fall's midterm elections is on, and the battles to control Congress and key state leadership positions across the country are taking shape.
In California, where it can take days for all the votes to be counted, it appears former State Attorney General Xavier Bacerra, a Democrat, will finish in the top two in the race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom.
"I am ready to lead the fight to uphold California's promise," Bacerra expressed.
His likely opponent: A former TV show host President Donald Trump endorsed, Republican Steve Hilton.
"Over one million Californians have put their faith in me," Hilton remarked.
In Los Angeles, Mayor Karen bass will try to win a second term in a November runoff. Her likely opponent: Former reality TV star Spencer Pratt, whose anti-establishment campaign is striking a chord with some voters.
"I'm an Angelino who said enough is enough, and I had to step up," Pratt shared.
California voters echoed similar concerns candidates are hearing across the country.
"I care a lot about the environment. I care about foreign policy. I care about affordability, all those things," said Ryan Marchand, a voter in California.
This fall, a key battle for control of the house is in New Jersey.
Former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot Rebecca Bennett will take on Republican incumbent Tom Kean.
Kean has been away from the Capitol and out of the public eye for three months as he deals with an unspecified medical issue.
For Democrats, taking control of the Senate comes down to states like Iowa, with Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) retiring, and state lawmaker Josh Turek (D-Iowa) hopes to flip the seat from red to blue.
"We need a fighter for the people, not for the billionaires, large corporations, and political donors," Turek spoke.
President Trump endorsed the winner of the Republican primary, Congresswoman Ashley Hinson.
Trump has had a string of victories by candidates he has endorsed in this season's Republican primaries, but this week voters in Iowa rejected the Republican candidate for governor the president endorsed, Randy Feenstra, who has conceded the race to Zach Lahn.
