Welcome to From the Politics Desk, your daily source for the latest insights and analysis from the NBC News political team about the White House, Capitol Hill, and election campaigns.
As we embrace another significant primary night, Steve Kornacki emphasizes the need for patience regarding the outcomes in California, which is pivotal for elections concerning governor, congressional seats, and the mayor’s office. Additionally, we provide insights on President Donald Trump’s newly appointed Director of National Intelligence.
Understanding the Challenges of Reporting Results in California
Analysis by Steve Kornacki
When the polls close in California at 11 PM ET, an initial influx of votes will reveal the early trends in various races. However, within 90 minutes, this initial wave will taper off, leaving millions of uncounted ballots. As a result, many contests are likely to remain unresolved for days or even weeks.
Such scenarios are common in the nation’s largest states, which are also known for their slower reporting of election results. Reflecting on the 2024 timeline, Orange County reported over 700,000 mail-in ballots just six minutes post-poll closure. This marked approximately half of the county’s total votes, with nearly every county following suit soon after to disclose the results of early voting and Election Day ballots.
By 12:30 AM ET, around half of California’s total votes had been reported. However, counting resumed overnight and continued into the following day, resulting in a total vote count of nearly 60% by noon Wednesday. Remarkably, it took until November 18—two weeks after Election Day—for California to achieve 95% of its reported votes.
This delay did not affect the presidential election outcome significantly, as the early results from Orange County reaffirmed Kamala Harris’ expected lead over Donald Trump. However, it complicated the national popular vote tally, raising concerns regarding Trump’s performance, as he finished with 49.8% of the votes.
In competitive congressional races, the results weren’t confirmed for weeks; notably, contests in the 22nd and 27th Districts weren’t resolved until a week post-election, while the 13th District remained undecided for over a month. The lengthy delays are attributed to the state’s substantial reliance on mail-in voting, a regulation allowing ballots to be submitted up to a week post-Election Day, and the general sluggishness of processing in many populous counties. This situation has faced substantial scrutiny yet remains unchanged, indicating that the key races in tonight’s primaries may lead to prolonged uncertainty.
The gubernatorial elections are among these close contests, featuring candidates from each party on the same ballot, with the top two advancing to the general election. Current polls indicate a narrow margin among the three leading candidates—Democrats Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer, along with Republican Steve Hilton—with substantial support behind them. It may be challenging to ascertain results tonight due to the staggering volume of uncounted votes.
New Director of National Intelligence Selected Amid Controversy
Reporting by Dan De Ruth, Rebecca Chabad, and Ryan J. Reilly
President Donald Trump has appointed Bill Pruitt, an ally with no prior intelligence experience, to oversee the national spy agency while the country navigates ongoing tensions with Iran following stalled peace talks.
Pruitt, serving as the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, has played a role in the Trump administration’s efforts to gather information for investigations into the president’s political adversaries.
As acting Director of National Intelligence, Pruitt assumes responsibility for a vast network of 18 agencies, including the CIA and the NSA. He will serve as the President’s primary advisor on intelligence matters and oversee daily briefings.
Trump’s announcement confirmed that Pruitt will maintain his role at the Housing Finance Agency, along with positions as chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac—government-created corporations that support the mortgage market.
This Cabinet-level position, established post-9/11, requires Senate confirmation. By appointing Pruitt as acting director, the President sidesteps this process for now, leaving unclear whether Pruitt will be permanently appointed. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the leading Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, criticized the move as showcasing Pruitt’s lack of qualifications, suggesting that he was selected to provide a favorable narrative rather than essential information.
Senate Minority Leader John Thune highlighted the challenges Pruitt will face if he aspires to a permanent appointment, indicating a long road ahead amid concerns regarding his experience.
