Becerra Secures Gubernatorial Spot
Democrat Xavier Becerra Secures Spot in California Gubernatorial General Election
Democrat Xavier Becerra has advanced to California's November general election for governor, the AP projected on June 5, 2026. He cleared the state's top-two primary despite polling at just 3% only months ago — a dramatic late surge that one outlet called a "stunning come-from-behind" win.
Becerra, a former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and California Attorney General, will face Republican Steve Hilton in the fall. Hilton, a former Fox News host, led the primary with roughly 28–30% of the vote. Becerra finished second with about 25–26%, while billionaire Tom Steyer — who spent a record $250 million of his own money — came in third at around 20%, according to CalMatters.
Becerra's Late Surge Shocks a Crowded Primary Field
As recently as early 2026, Becerra was a long shot. Final polling by the Public Policy Institute of California showed him at 23%, with Hilton close behind at 20%. But the late momentum was enough. The AP and CBS News called his second-place finish on June 5, three days after polls closed on June 2.
Steyer's collapse despite historic spending drew wide attention. Democratic strategist Garry South said the billionaire likely hit a "diminishing return," noting that "money can't always buy you love" when candidates "wear out their welcome" with too many ads, according to CalMatters.
How California's Top-Two System Shaped the Race
California uses a nonpartisan "top-two" primary system. Every candidate runs on the same ballot. The top two vote-getters advance to the general — regardless of party. That meant a Democrat-vs.-Democrat or Republican-vs.-Republican finale was possible. This time, voters produced a split-party matchup.
Academic Andrew Sinclair of Claremont McKenna College noted that California's electorate is roughly 60% Democratic — a "dead zone" that makes a Democrat-vs.-Republican general election more common than a same-party one, according to CalMatters. Voter turnout was low, with early data suggesting just about 25% of registered voters cast ballots.
Becerra vs. Hilton: Experience Against Disruption
Becerra, 68, is leaning on his 35 years in public office. He calls himself the "healthcare governor" and plans to freeze home insurance rates and declare a "state of emergency" on housing and energy costs on day one. He said he is "ready to lead the fight to uphold California's promise," according to the AP.
Hilton is running a sharp contrast campaign. The former Fox News host — backed by Donald Trump since April — said "change is coming to California, and it's long overdue," according to PBS News. Trump also claimed, without evidence, that California's slow ballot count was a sign of "election rigging," according to The Guardian.
Historic Stakes: First Latino Governor Since 1875
If Becerra wins in November, he would be the first Latino governor of California since Romualdo Pacheco held the office in 1875, the AP noted. No Republican has won a statewide race in California since 2006. That makes Hilton's path to victory steep — but not impossible in a state where housing, energy, and insurance costs have fueled deep voter frustration.
As state Attorney General, Becerra filed over 120 lawsuits against the first Trump administration. That record positions the general election as a direct clash between California's Democratic establishment and the national Trump movement — with the state's future economic and legal direction hanging in the balance.
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