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Xavier Becerra Advances to General Election in California Governor Race
Xavier Becerra has advanced to the general election in the California governor race. As Steve Hilton and Tom Steyer compete for the top two spots, the balance of the November election remains uncertain...
Former Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra has advanced to the general election in the California governor race. The opponent he will face in November has not yet been finalized.
According to the results announced on election night, with about two-thirds of the votes counted, Becerra secured around 27% of the vote, placing him in first place. He was followed by former Fox News host and Republican Steve Hilton with 26%, and billionaire activist Tom Steyer with 21%.
Becerra Stands Out with Emphasis on Experience
Becerra, former California Attorney General and 12-term Congressman, highlighted his government experience in his campaign for the seat of outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom. He positioned himself as a centrist and mainstream Democrat.
For much of the campaign, Becerra ranked low in the polls. However, after former Representative Eric Swalwell withdrew from the race in April amid allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, Becerra quickly rose in the crowded field.
Competition Continues for Top Two Spots
In California, all candidates compete on the same primary ballot regardless of party affiliation, and the top two vote-getters advance to the general election. Therefore, Becerra’s November opponent has not yet been determined.
Steyer has emerged as the progressive candidate, advocating for a single-payer healthcare system, taxing oil company profits, and a billionaire tax expected to appear on the ballot this fall. He has also contributed about $200 million of his own money to his campaign, a notable aspect of the race.
Hilton campaigned on messages of tax cuts, reducing regulatory burdens on businesses, and increasing homeownership. Born in the United Kingdom and having spent most of his life there, Hilton became a U.S. citizen in 2021 and previously worked as an aide to former British Prime Minister David Cameron.
Donald Trump’s endorsement of Hilton in April helped consolidate Republican votes around him. This move also eased Democratic concerns that two Republicans might advance from the crowded primary.
A Wide Field of Candidates Shapes the Race
Earlier in the race, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco was among the frontrunners but was leading before Trump’s endorsement. On the Democratic side, numerous prominent candidates entered the race, making early consolidation difficult.
Former House Representative Katie Porter, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, state education official Tony Thurmond, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan were among the dozens of candidates on the ballot.
During the primary, Becerra also faced criticism from some former colleagues from the Biden administration. These critics argued that issues arising during his cabinet tenure raised questions about his ability to manage California’s large bureaucracy.
In recent weeks, Becerra’s campaign has also been in the spotlight due to criticism over an interview with a local Los Angeles TV station and the admission of guilt by two former advisers who stole money from a dormant Becerra campaign account.
If Becerra remains the sole Democratic candidate in the November election, he enters as a strong favorite to become California’s next governor.
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