Hilton and Becerra Emerge as Early Leaders in California Gubernatorial Primary
Former UK political strategist Steve Hilton and US Health Secretary Xavier Becerra currently lead a crowded field of more than 60 candidates seeking to lead the fifth-largest economy.
Primary source: BBC World News. Full source links and update notes are below.
Fast summary
Start here
- Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra hold the top two spots in early vote counts for the California governor's race.
- California's top-two primary system will advance the leading pair to the November general election regardless of their political party.
- Billionaire Tom Steyer remains in third place as counting continues for the high volume of mail-in ballots.
What happened
Early primary results indicate that former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Biden cabinet secretary Xavier Becerra are leading the race to replace Governor Gavin Newsom. Hilton, a Republican endorsed by Donald Trump, and Becerra, a high-ranking Democrat, have pulled ahead of a field containing more than 60 candidates. The contest will determine which two individuals advance to the general election in November.
What's new in this update
As of Wednesday, Becerra and Hilton remain at the top of the count, while billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer holds third place. The official results are expected to take several days to finalize due to the massive volume of postal ballots cast across the state. This update confirms the early dominance of the two frontrunners in what has become the most expensive gubernatorial race in California's history.
Key details
Steve Hilton, previously a top strategist for UK Prime Minister David Cameron, has campaigned on a platform of 'disrupting the system' through tax cuts and deregulation. Xavier Becerra has framed his campaign around his experience in Washington D.C. and California state office, pledging to freeze insurance and utility rates. Other notable candidates who trailed in early counts include San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and former Congresswoman Katie Porter.
Background and context
The race to succeed the term-limited Gavin Newsom was reshaped in April when Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell resigned from Congress and exited the gubernatorial race following allegations of sexual assault. California's 'jungle primary' system allows any two candidates to advance to the general election, leading to concerns among Democrats that multiple liberal candidates could split the vote and allow two Republicans to move forward in the deeply blue state.
What to watch next
Election officials will continue to process mail-in ballots over the coming days, which could shift the final standings. If Hilton maintains his position and advances to the general election, he will face a difficult path in a state where Democratic voters outnumber Republicans by a two-to-one margin. California has not elected a Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger's final term ended in 2011.
Why it matters
As the world's fifth-largest economy, California's leadership transition impacts global climate policy, immigration enforcement, and national political dynamics in the United States.
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