Democrat Xavier Becerra won California's governor's race on Tuesday, defeating Trump-endorsed Republican Steve Hilton and becoming the first Latino elected governor in the state's history, the Associated Press projected. Early returns showed him leading by roughly 64% to 36%.
The only Latino to hold the office before him, Romualdo Pacheco, served about 10 months in 1875 after moving up from lieutenant governor. Becerra will take office on Jan. 4, 2027, succeeding term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom, who congratulated him as someone who will "carry the torch for California."
"What a great night to be Californian. What a great night to be American," Becerra told supporters at his election night party in Sacramento. Looking back on a hard stretch of "higher prices, more wars, corruption and lawlessness," he said: "It felt like mission impossible. We knew it was mission necessary."
He cast his win as a victory for the state's diversity."There is no American greatness without California, and no California without our diverse communities. Diversity isn't our shortcoming. It's our superpower," Becerra said after his win.
From Sacramento to the governor's office
Becerra, 68, was born in Sacramento and grew up in a working-class family with roots in Mexico. He spent 24 years in Congress representing Los Angeles, then served as California attorney general from 2017 to 2021, when he frequently sued the first Trump administration, and later as health and human services secretary under President Joe Biden. He promised to focus on making the state more affordable amid high gas prices and inflation.
"The California Dream is universal. It's non-negotiable. And yes, it is undeportable," he said in another message to supporters. "To everyone who has been made to feel afraid: there's a new sheriff in town, and he's got a law degree and a union card."
Hilton, a former Fox News host and onetime adviser to British Prime Minister David Cameron, thanked supporters after the race was called. "The change we hoped for may be delayed, but the change is coming. Our fight goes on," he said.
Videos and photo: Xavier Becerra campaign
