Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton Advance to California Governor Race/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton have secured spots in California’s 2026 gubernatorial election. The race will pit California’s liberal political establishment against a Republican outsider promising sweeping change. Affordability, housing, homelessness, and relations with President Donald Trump are expected to dominate the campaign.
California Governor Race 2026 Quick Looks
- Xavier Becerra advances to the California governor general election.
- Steve Hilton secured the Republican spot in the November race.
- Gov. Gavin Newsom is term-limited and cannot seek reelection.
- California remains one of the nation’s largest and most influential economies.
- Housing affordability and homelessness are key campaign issues.
- Hilton is backed by President Donald Trump.
- Becerra served as California attorney general and U.S. health secretary.
- Tom Steyer failed to qualify for the general election.
- Democrats maintain a significant voter registration advantage statewide.
- The election will determine California’s political direction after years of Democratic leadership.
Deep Look
California’s Governor Race Is Officially Set
California voters will choose between two candidates offering dramatically different visions for the future of the nation’s most populous state.
Republican Steve Hilton has officially advanced to the November general election and will face Democrat Xavier Becerra in a race that could become one of the most closely watched gubernatorial contests in the country.
The winner will succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom and inherit leadership of a state with nearly 39 million residents, a massive technology sector, Hollywood’s entertainment industry, and one of the world’s largest economies.
The contest arrives at a pivotal moment as Californians continue grappling with high housing costs, affordability concerns, homelessness, and economic uncertainty.
Becerra Campaigns as Defender of California Values
Becerra enters the general election as one of the state’s most recognizable Democratic leaders.
A former California attorney general and Health and Human Services secretary under President Joe Biden, Becerra has built his campaign around protecting California’s progressive policies and resisting federal efforts that he argues undermine the state.
During his tenure as attorney general, Becerra led numerous legal challenges against the Trump administration, making opposition to Trump a defining part of his political identity.
“Donald Trump is doubling down on decline and counting on people being too fearful, distracted or gullible to fight back,” Becerra told a crowd on primary night. “As governor I will never back down from the threats of small cowards in big offices.”
Becerra has pointed to Trump administration actions affecting California, including disputes over environmental regulations, wildfire recovery funding, and policies involving transgender student-athletes.
His campaign argues that California must continue serving as a national model for progressive governance while protecting residents from federal overreach.
Steve Hilton Offers Republican Alternative
Hilton is attempting to accomplish something no Republican has achieved in California in nearly two decades — winning a statewide office.
The former Fox News commentator and political adviser has positioned himself as a political outsider ready to challenge what he describes as the failures of one-party Democratic control.
“If you’re happy with the way that California is being run, Xavier Becerra is your guy,” Hilton said in a recent interview. “If you want change, vote for me.”
Hilton has repeatedly argued that Californians are frustrated with rising costs, crime concerns, homelessness, and housing shortages, and he believes those frustrations could overcome the state’s significant Democratic voter registration advantage.
His campaign has emphasized reform and economic growth while criticizing long-standing Democratic leadership in Sacramento.
Democrats Hold Significant Registration Advantage
Despite Hilton’s optimism, Republicans face a steep uphill climb.
Democrats currently account for roughly 45% of registered California voters, while Republicans represent approximately 25%.
That registration gap has helped Democrats dominate statewide elections for years.
The last Republican to win statewide office in California was former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who secured reelection in 2006.
While Trump’s endorsement likely strengthened Hilton’s support among Republican primary voters, political analysts expect the president’s popularity in California to remain a significant factor in the general election campaign.
Slow Vote Count Delayed Final Matchup
The final gubernatorial matchup took nearly a week to become official due to California’s lengthy vote-counting process.
Under state law, ballots mailed by Election Day can still be counted if they arrive within seven days.
As counties processed ballots, billionaire businessman and climate activist Tom Steyer steadily narrowed the gap with Hilton but never gained enough support to overtake him.
The Associated Press officially determined that Hilton had secured the second-place position after concluding there were not enough remaining ballots for Steyer to catch him.
Following the result, Steyer quickly endorsed Becerra.
“It would be a travesty for Steve Hilton to win the governorship, and Californians must unite behind Xavier Becerra to ensure he does not,” he said in a statement.
Affordability Emerges as Top Issue
Throughout the primary campaign, affordability consistently ranked among voters’ biggest concerns.
Hilton and Becerra have both made economic relief central components of their platforms, though their approaches differ substantially.
Hilton has proposed making the first $100,000 of income tax-free for Californians, creating loan programs for first-time homebuyers, and freezing tuition at public colleges and universities.
Becerra has focused on government action to address housing shortages and rising costs.
His proposals include declaring states of emergency related to housing and energy prices while pursuing measures aimed at stabilizing insurance costs.
The affordability debate is expected to remain at the center of the campaign as voters weigh competing strategies for lowering costs.
Two Immigrant Success Stories
Although their political philosophies differ sharply, both candidates share immigrant family backgrounds.
Hilton was born in the United Kingdom and moved to California in 2012 before becoming a U.S. citizen in 2021. Prior to relocating, he served as an adviser to Conservative Party leaders in Britain, including former Prime Minister David Cameron.
During his election-night remarks, Hilton referenced California’s history of electing immigrant governors.
“I know that some of you may be watching and saying, ‘Who is this guy with a funny accent?’” he said on election night. “Well you know there was actually an immigrant who was governor of California not that long ago.”
Becerra was born and raised in Sacramento as the son of Mexican immigrants. He frequently highlights his family’s journey as a reflection of the opportunities California provides.
“Like my parents, I never gave up,” he told supporters on election night. “I never stopped believing in the beaconlike goodness of California. And thankfully, neither did you.”
If elected, Becerra would become California’s first Latino governor since the late 19th century.
A Defining Election for California’s Future
The November election presents voters with a stark ideological choice.
Becerra is promising continuity with California’s progressive political direction and continued resistance to Trump-era policies.
Hilton is campaigning on the argument that California needs dramatic change after years of Democratic dominance.
With housing affordability, homelessness, public safety, energy costs, and economic opportunity likely to dominate the debate, the race could become a national symbol of the broader political divide between Republican and Democratic visions for governance.
As campaigning intensifies over the coming months, both candidates will attempt to persuade voters that they offer the best path forward for a state whose influence extends far beyond its borders.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.