California Governor Race Finalists
California Secretary of State Announces Becerra, Hilton Lead Gubernatorial Race
Xavier Becerra has pulled off one of the biggest comebacks in recent California political history. The California Secretary of State's data confirms that Becerra — a former HHS Secretary who was polling at just 1% in late 2025 — will face Republican Steve Hilton in the November governor's race, according to CalMatters. Hilton, a former Fox News host endorsed by Donald Trump, finished second with roughly 25% of the vote.
Billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer, who spent an estimated $215 million of his own money — about $150 per vote — fell short with 22.6% of the vote, Forbes reported. Steyer officially conceded on June 10, endorsing Becerra to stop what he called a "Trump-handpicked" candidate from winning the statehouse.
Becerra Surges From 1% to First Place
Becerra's rise defied almost every early forecast. He sat at roughly 1% in late 2025 polls but finished election night with approximately 27.9% of the vote — around 1.8 million ballots — according to SFGATE. On election night, Hilton actually led. But as late-arriving mail-in ballots were counted, Becerra "leap-frogged" him to take the top spot by June 5.
Outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom quickly endorsed Becerra, signaling a desire for "continuity of progress," LA Times reported. Becerra has pitched himself as a defender against federal overreach, saying his mission is to "cement California's status as a stronghold of liberal policies," according to AP News.
Steyer's $215 Million Bet Comes Up Short
Tom Steyer's campaign was the most expensive self-funded gubernatorial run in California history. His campaign accounted for nearly two-thirds of all governor's race ad spending in the state, according to AdImpact data cited by CalMatters. Yet he still fell roughly 2.4 points behind Hilton when 88% of the vote was counted.
Political strategist Garry South argued that Steyer's failure proves self-funding has a "ceiling." Steyer himself admitted he didn't blame voters who "just couldn't stomach voting for a billionaire," Forbes reported. His exit leaves progressives without a champion in the general election — a gap that could suppress turnout among younger voters who backed his climate-first message.
Hilton's "Califordable" Plan Faces Tough Math
Hilton built his campaign around a platform he calls "Califordable" — cutting gas prices and eliminating state income tax on the first $100,000 earned. CapRadio reported that Hilton cemented his image as a "fiscally responsible" conservative at the Western Growers Gubernatorial Forum in April. His Trump endorsement helped him consolidate roughly 59% of Republican primary voters.
But critics warn his tax plan is a "fiscal neutron bomb" that could strip roughly $70 billion from the state budget, requiring a 30–40% cut in state services to stay solvent. Hilton has pushed back, arguing his plan is the only way to stop the "wealth exodus" of businesses leaving California for Texas and Florida. His own statement frames the stakes plainly: "We can't keep voting the same way and expect different results," CalMatters reported.
November's Clash: Affordability vs. Social Safety Net
The general election sets up two sharply different visions for the state. Becerra supports expanding the social safety net and keeping strong environmental rules. Hilton wants a "dramatic reset" of the state's regulatory framework. Democratic strategists are already framing the race as a "check on the Trump administration" rather than a debate over state policy, AP News reported.
Latino voters could be a key swing group. Polls cited by the San Francisco Public Press show that despite Becerra's Latino heritage, this bloc is most concerned with housing costs, gas prices, and healthcare — the exact issues Hilton is targeting. If Hilton stays focused on pocketbook issues and avoids divisive social topics, analysts say he has a narrow but real path in a state that hasn't elected a Republican governor since 2006.
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