Californias Top-Two Primary Sets Up Democrat Matchups

California's top-two primary system has set the stage for intense intra-party battles among Democrats in key congressional races and raised alarms in the crowded race for governor, as voters prepare for the June 2 primary.

Under the system, approved by voters in 2010 through Proposition 14, the top two vote-getters in each race advance to the November general election regardless of party affiliation. This has led to Democrat-versus-Democrat matchups in several U.S. House districts redrawn last year by Proposition 50, which shifted boundaries to create more competitive seats. National observers view California as pivotal to House control, with Democratic gains potentially influencing oversight of President Donald Trump's second-term agenda.

In the 22nd Congressional District spanning Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Kern counties, two Democrats, Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains and Randy Villegas, are vying to challenge incumbent Republican Rep. David Valadao. Bains, a physician backed by labor groups including SEIU California, has about $700,500 cash on hand as of mid-April. Villegas, a college professor supported by Sen. Bernie Sanders, holds nearly $719,000 and avoids corporate PAC...