Xavier Becerra advances in California’s hotly contested governor’s race

Xavier Becerra holds GOTV rally in Long Beach, California, on 31 May 2026 Photograph: Brian Cahn/Zuma Press Wire/Shutterstock View image in fullscreen Xavier Becerra holds GOTV rally in Long Beach, California, on 31 May 2026 Photograph: Brian Cahn/Zuma Press Wire/Shutterstock Xavier Becerra advances in California’s hotly contested governor’s race Becerra advanced to the general election after emerging from California’s crowded primary field in the race to succeed Gavin Newsom Xavier Becerra has advanced to the November general election in California’s gubernatorial race, cementing a stunning come-from-behind primary victory in one of California’s most turbulent campaign seasons in recent memory. Election officials are continuing to count ballots to determine whether he will face fellow Democrat Tom Steyer , the environmental activist who championed progressive policies like universal healthcare and more taxes on billionaires like himself, or Republican Steve Hilton , the former UK political operative turned Fox News personality who was endorsed by Donald Trump, in the fall. “The people of the great state of California, in the greatest nation on earth, have spoken – loudly and proudly,” Becerra said in a statement, after the Associated Press declared that he had clinched one of two spots in the general election. “We will not be bought. We will not be bullied. And we are never backing down. November, here we come.” Becerra’s advance in the nation’s largest Democratic stronghold was, in his own words, a “Hollywood ending” few saw coming. Just months ago, mired at 3% in the polls, the former California attorney general and US health secretary faced pressure from his own party to drop out of the contest to allow voters to consolidate behind a more viable candidate. “The underdog stayed in the fight,” an ebullient Becerra told supporters at his election night party on Tuesday, as early returns showed him with a strong chance of pulling off a top-two finish in the primary. If elected in November, he would be California’s first Latino governor since 1875. Despite the ongoing count, and the strong expectation that the so-called “late-mail” ballots would favor Democrats, Donald Trump prematurely declared Hilton the winner and, without evidence, accused the state of election rigging. Hilton’s early election night lead steadily dropped as more ballots were counted, slipping behind Becerra. “Change is coming, and the campaign for change starts today,” Hilton said earlier this week, stopping short of declaring victory. Any Republican would face an uphill battle running statewide in California. Democrats control nearly all levels of government and hold a nearly two-to-one voter registration advantage. But running with Trump’s endorsement in a state where the president is deeply unpopular makes the path forward even more fraught for Hilton. By contrast, a contest between Becerra and Steyer would guarantee a Democrat in the governor’s mansion, setting the stage f