Becerra Advances in California Governor Race

Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has advanced to the November election for California governor, while election officials continue counting ballots to determine whether he will face Republican Steve Hilton or Democratic billionaire activist Tom Steyer.

Becerra, a Democrat and former California attorney general, secured one of the top two spots in the state’s all-party primary, according to projections by major news organizations and a race call by The Associated Press. With millions of ballots still being tallied, the second general election slot remained unresolved.

“The people of the great state of California, in the greatest nation on earth, have spoken — loudly and proudly,” Becerra said in a written statement. “We will not be bought. We will not be bullied. And we are never backing down. November, here we come.”

California’s primary system places all candidates on the same ballot regardless of party, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election. The state also mails ballots to every registered voter and counts mail ballots that are postmarked by Election Day and arrive within seven days, a process that can extend the vote count.

NBC News reported that with about two-thirds of the expected vote counted, Becerra had about 27% of the vote, followed by Hilton at 26% and Steyer at 21%. NPR reported that an estimated 3.5 million ballots remained uncounted. The BBC reported that results could take weeks because of millions of mail-in ballots in the nation’s most populous state.

The race is to replace Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited. More than 60 candidates appeared on the ballot, including former Rep. Katie Porter, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.

Becerra, a former 12-term congressman who served as health secretary under President Joe Biden, campaigned on his government experience and portrayed himself as a mainstream Democrat. His campaign rose sharply after former Rep. Eric Swalwell ended his run in April amid sexual assault and misconduct allegations, which he has denied. Several outlets reported that Swalwell had been gaining support before his exit.

If elected, Becerra would become California’s first Latino governor since Romualdo Pacheco in the 1870s. The BBC reported that Latinos make up about 41% of the state’s population.

Hilton, a former Fox News commentator and former adviser to British Prime Minister David Cameron, was born in the United Kingdom and became a U.S. citizen in 2021. He has campaigned on tax cuts, reducing regulations for businesses and increasing homeownership. President Donald Trump endorsed him in April, helping him consolidate Republican support.

Hilton has criticized California’s ballot-counting process. CBS News reported that he said Friday that, if elected, he “will end this FARCE and make sure all votes are counted within 48 hours of the mail-in deadline.” State and local election officials have defended the process, saying all ballots face the same verification requirements regardless of when they arrive.

Trump has also questioned the ballot count without providing evidence of wrongdoing. The Guardian reported that on Friday the U.S. Justice Department sent a federal prosecutor to observe ballot processing in Los Angeles, while a Trump-appointed assistant U.S. attorney said his office was conducting “multiple election fraud investigations.”

Steyer, a billionaire environmental activist, has cast himself as the progressive candidate, emphasizing support for single-payer health care, taxes on oil company profits and a billionaire tax. NBC News reported he spent nearly $200 million of his own money on the campaign, while NPR said he spent more than $213 million, making it the most expensive gubernatorial election in California.

The campaign unfolded against widespread voter concern about affordability. A CBS News poll found that 70% of registered California voters described the cost of living where they live as “unmanageable,” while 64% said they were not confident the “California Dream” remains within reach.