Steve Hilton Leads California Governor Primary
Republican commentator Steve Hilton and Democratic former cabinet secretary Xavier Becerra emerged as the early frontrunners in California’s governor primary, CNBC reported Tuesday, with both candidates appearing on track to advance to the November general election.
A Tight Three-Way Contest in California’s Governor Primary
With roughly three-quarters of precincts partially reporting, Hilton held 26.9% of the vote. Becerra sat just behind at 25.7%, a gap of approximately 49,000 ballots. Democratic billionaire Tom Steyer trailed in third at 19.8%, nearly 260,000 votes off the pace. No other candidate in the sprawling field broke double digits. California’s open “jungle primary” places all parties on one ballot. Only the top two vote-getters advance, regardless of party affiliation.
Background: Who Are the Two Leading Candidates
Hilton is British-born and became a U.S. citizen in 2021. He previously served as an adviser to former UK Prime Minister David Cameron before building a media career at Fox News. Endorsed by President Donald Trump, he ran hard against Democratic governance on homelessness, affordability and regulation. Addressing supporters, Hilton drew a direct comparison to former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, another immigrant who won the office. Republicans have held no statewide office in California since Schwarzenegger’s term ended in January 2011. Becerra brings a different profile. A former California attorney general and U.S. congressman, he served as Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden. Should he win in November, Becerra would become the first Latino elected governor of a state where roughly 40% of residents identify as Hispanic or Latino. Speaking to his own supporters, he wove Spanish into remarks that carried the tone of a victory address.
What Is at Stake in November
The next California governor inherits leadership of a roughly $4 trillion economy, one of the largest on earth. The incoming administration will face persistent pressures around water supply, housing costs and homelessness. Term limits prevent incumbent Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom from seeking re-election. Elsewhere on Tuesday’s ballot, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass led her re-election contest with 36.5% of early returns. Reality television personality Spencer Pratt, running as a Republican, sat in second place at 29.5%. The Los Angeles race also operates under the jungle primary format, with the top two advancing to November. Bass has faced intensifying scrutiny over her management of homelessness and the city’s recovery from the destructive 2025 wildfire season.
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