The primary election took place on June 8, 2010.

Incumbent Republican lieutenant governor Abel Maldonado, who had been appointed to the office, ran for election to a full term but was defeated by Democratic Mayor Gavin Newsom of San Francisco.

Newsom started his four-year term on 10 January 2011.

The following were certified by the California Secretary of State as candidates in the primary election for lieutenant governor.

[1] Candidates who won their respective primaries and qualified for the general election are shown in bold.