Scott Schaefer

One is an assembly member and a physician.

She's the more moderate candidate.

And the other is a progressive backed by Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

California hasn't had a governor's race like this one in decades, an unpredictable horse race with several lead changes, the implosion of a leading candidate after sexual assault allegations, and a slew of relatively unknown options.

Once discounted, Javier Becerra, former HHS secretary and California attorney general,

has jumped to the front of the pack after Congressman Eric Swalwell dropped out.

Not far behind, Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host, he's neck and neck with billionaire investor and political activist Tom Steyer, who's dropped more than $200 million and counting.

A few months ago, panicked Democrats feared they could be locked out of a November runoff by this top-two primary system, but now polls show it's at least possible the top-two finishers will both be Democrats.

For NPR News, I'm Scott Schaefer in San Francisco.

Yeah, well, the new lines were designed to weaken and potentially pick off five current Republican House members.

And those new lines caused one Republican incumbent to retire.

Another Republican switched his party affiliation from Republican to independent.

And then a third Republican who would have faced a tough road to reelection in the new district suddenly died.

So flipping three of the five seats now held by Republicans will be fairly easy.

But then there are two which are not at all grand slams or slam dunks, I should say.

Tough races where Democrats could win if things go their way.

One of those is in the Central Valley where Republican David Valadao is the incumbent.

Now, he's given Democrats heartburn in the past.

Very tough to beat.

And this time around, although the district is somewhat more favorable to Democrats, it's still very purple.