Xavier Becerra defeats Republican Steve Hilton to become California’s next governor. The victory locks in a Democratic hold as Gavin Newsom steps down due to term limits.
Becerra Wins California Governorship
Becerra captured 65% of the vote to Hilton’s 34% with 54% of precincts reporting. Decision Desk HQ called the race at 11:13 p.m. Eastern Time.
He will replace outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom, who cannot seek re‑election after two terms. The primary featured more than 60 candidates.
The contest started unusually open, as former Vice President Kamala Harris, Senator Alex Padilla and Attorney General Rob Bonta all declined to run. The wide field highlighted the state’s fragmented Democratic establishment.
Becerra surged ahead in April after former Representative Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign amid multiple sexual misconduct allegations and an ongoing congressional investigation. Swalwell remains under investigation by the House Ethics Committee.
Becerra campaigned on affordability and health‑care reforms, blaming soaring gas prices on the war in Iran and capitalizing on voter anger over inflation. His platform emphasized tax relief and expanding Medi‑Cal to curb rising living costs.
Pre‑election polls showed Becerra leading by 25 percentage points, underscoring his advantage. Analysts said the lead reflected both name recognition and the absence of a high‑profile challenger.
Trump‑endorsed Hilton argued Becerra’s policies would not change voter frustration and pledged to end the state’s homeless crisis. He framed his campaign as a break from the status quo.
“I’m a pragmatic problem‑solving change‑maker. We may not agree on national politics, but I think we can agree we need change in California. So many people are desperate to see that,” he said in July. He made the remarks at a July rally in Sacramento.
Voters chose Becerra on Tuesday, cementing his path to the governor’s office. The win secures Democratic control ahead of the 2026 midterms.
