Republican California gubernatorial hopeful Steve Hilton appears poised to secure a spot in the November runoff, but the final outcome hinges on the state's vast number of mail-in ballots. An hour after polls closed, Hilton led the pack, while Democratic former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra overtook fellow Democrat, billionaire Tom Steyer, in the crowded open primary.
In the closing weeks of the gubernatorial primary campaign, it became evident that the race had narrowed to a three-way contest to replace term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom. California employs a jungle primary system, meaning the two top vote-getters, regardless of party, advance to the general election, rather than each party selecting a single candidate.
Deep blue California has not elected a Republican governor since movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger's tenure from 2003 to 2011. Hilton paid tribute to Schwarzenegger onstage with supporters Tuesday night, revealing a jacket with American and California flags stitched inside. 'Arnold, that was for you!' he exclaimed.
Catering to independents and Democrats he would need to win a general election, Hilton emphasized that his campaign is not 'ideological.' 'It's time for positive, practical things,' he said. Earlier on CNN, he described the results as 'obviously encouraging.' 'What we're really watching is the gap between me and the third-place candidate, Tom Steyer. As long as that gap stays roughly where it is, then Californians will have a choice for change in the general election,' the London-born Hilton added.
Polling generally indicated that Becerra had taken Representative Eric Swalwell's place as the frontrunner. Swalwell exited the race after his campaign was derailed by sex abuse allegations in April, which also prompted his resignation from Congress. Swalwell has denied the claims. Becerra brought extensive political experience to the race, having served in President Joe Biden's Cabinet, as California's Attorney General, and as a US House member representing parts of Los Angeles.
However, some within the Democratic Party have expressed reservations about his candidacy. Former Department of Justice official Xochitl Hinojosa stated on a CNN panel last month that Democrats who worked for Biden are skeptical of Becerra's ability to stand up to President Donald Trump. 'Can I tell you after working in Joe Biden's administration, I do not trust Xavier Becerra to do that,' she said. 'He was not effective in government,' Hinojosa continued when prompted by host Abby Phillip.
Republican Steve Hilton, a London-born US citizen, became a Fox News star following Trump's first election. He previously served in British Prime Minister David Cameron's government before entering US politics. Hilton portrayed himself as someone who could cooperate with the current administration, contrasting with Newsom's confrontational approach. He pledged to make California 'Californable' by lowering income and business taxes and expanding domestic energy production to reduce gas prices to $3 per gallon.
Hilton received an official endorsement from Trump for California governor in April, though fellow Republican Sheriff Chad Bianco remained in the race. On Saturday, Hilton publicly urged Bianco to drop out to ensure at least one Republican appears on the November ballot. 'There is one person who can stop this doomsday scenario,' Hilton said in a social media post. 'And that is my friend, Chad Bianco. Chad, the best time to drop out would have been a couple of weeks ago. The second best time is right now.'
Hilton has been competing with billionaire Democratic businessman and environmentalist Tom Steyer for second place. Steyer, a former 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful, dropped out after a poor showing in the South Carolina primary. He rebooted his political career with the California gubernatorial run, spending more than $200 million on advertising alone, according to the Associated Press, surpassing all other candidates nationwide. Steyer employed gimmicky social media tactics, including a karaoke session at a West Hollywood gay bar for Pride month and an Election Day post stating, 'I'm Tom Steyer and I'm about to ride the D,' referring to LA's newly opened D Line metro branch.
A handful of other Democrats remained in the race despite party concerns that both Republicans, Hilton and Bianco, could advance due to the overcrowded field. Notably, former Democratic Representative Katie Porter continued her campaign. Porter, elected in 2018 during an anti-Trump blue wave, became a household name through viral committee hearing moments. However, her political trajectory hit a setback after losing the 2024 California Senate primary to Senator Adam Schiff, and her brand suffered further following viral videos of her berating a staffer and walking out on a CBS interview.
