Xavier Becerra wins California governor’s race

Democrat Xavier Becerra has won California’s governor’s race, defeating Republican Steve Hilton after a campaign centered on the cost of living, housing and the state’s relationship with the federal government. CBS News and NBC News each projected Becerra the winner.

Becerra, 68, was elected to a four-year term and will succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. He will be California’s first Latino governor since Romualdo Pacheco more than 150 years ago, according to CBS News. Becerra previously served as California attorney general and as health and human services secretary under President Joe Biden.

The contest began with a crowded field. Becerra received about 28% of the vote in California’s June primary, Hilton about 25% and billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer about 23%, CBS News reported. Former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell left the race in April following sexual assault and misconduct allegations, which he denied. CBS News reported that Becerra emerged as a top contender after Swalwell’s departure.

An October poll from the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times, found 61% of likely voters supported Becerra and 34% backed Hilton, according to CBS News. Hilton, a former Fox News host, had President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris backed Becerra.

Both candidates promised relief from California’s high costs, but their proposals differed. Hilton called for eliminating state income taxes on the first $150,000 of income, repealing the state gas tax and capping fees on new housing developments. He argued that climate policies and regulations helped drive up gas prices. He also proposed incorporating 10 new cities to encourage homebuilding, CBS News reported.

Becerra pledged to lower everyday costs while preserving the state’s clean-energy transition. His housing proposals included reducing barriers to construction, expanding access to down-payment assistance, enforcing laws requiring local governments to build homes and protecting prospective homeowners from being outbid by investors. In their September debate, Becerra said Hilton’s tax proposals would “make it harder for working families.” Hilton said lower taxes would leave Californians with more money, according to CBS News.

Their differences extended to immigration. Hilton said he would seek a secure border and “lower the temperature” around the issue. He supported full state cooperation with immigration enforcement and opposed California’s sanctuary-state law, SB 54. Becerra said he would uphold the law, which he defended against the federal government as attorney general, CBS News reported.

Becerra also made opposition to Trump central to his campaign. His campaign website said he had sued Trump 122 times as attorney general and pledged to resist federal actions threatening access to health care, affordable housing, fair wages and protections for immigrants and marginalized communities, according to NBC News.

On homelessness, Hilton proposed eliminating encampments by the end of 2027 and establishing a statewide network of Homeless Recovery Centers. Becerra said the state’s progress had not been “good enough” and emphasized prevention and mental health services. Both candidates supported keeping film production in Los Angeles, though Hilton blamed Democrats, including Becerra, for productions leaving the state, CBS News reported.