US primary results show outsider and populist candidates outperforming, with Republicans unexpectedly competitive in California's slow-counting races — good news for anti-establishment campaigns on both sides.

• In the LA mayor race, reality-TV figure Spencer Pratt is running close behind Karen Bass, though late Democratic ballots could still flip the result toward Nithya Raman.
• California counts ballots slowly, and Democrats vote later, so early Republican leads in the governor and House races may shrink as more votes come in.
• Progressives scored wins: Bernie- and AOC-backed candidates are ahead in Montana and Iowa, showing populist Democrats can win outside big cities.
• Trump took his first primary loss in Iowa, where MAHA farmer Zack Lane beat Trump's last-minute pick, signaling grassroots independence from his endorsements.
• Katie Porter flamed out badly in California, removing a tough Wall Street critic from politics — a win for banks and crypto.

Outlook: Final California results won't be clear for weeks, but if two Democrats top the governor race, low Republican turnout could help pass a billionaire tax.