California Governor Primary: Becerra Leads Hilton, Steyer in Tight Race
California's June 2, 2026 gubernatorial primary remains too close to call, with Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton each securing about 26% of the vote, while billionaire Tom Steyer trails at 19.8% after spending over $215 million. The top two candidates will advance to the November general election. Becerra, a former U.S. Health Secretary, could become the first Latino elected governor in a state where 40% of the population is Hispanic. The race has focused on California's high cost of living, including gas prices and housing affordability.
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California Primary Results: Steve Hilton and Xavier Becerra Advance in Governor Race; Karen Bass Faces Nithya Raman in LA Mayoral Race
California's gubernatorial and Los Angeles mayoral 'jungle' primaries set the stage for November general elections. In the governor race, Democrat Xavier Becerra, former federal health official and state attorney general, secured the first spot. Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host and Trump-endorsed MAGA figure, beat out billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer for the second spot. Hilton, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in the UK, previously advised UK Prime Minister David Cameron. In the Los Angeles mayoral race, incumbent Democrat Karen Bass, the first female mayor, failed to secure over 50% of the vote and will face Democratic Socialist city council member Nithya Raman. Republican reality-TV star Spencer Pratt, who made wildfire response a key issue after losing his home in the Palisades Fire, was eliminated. The Bass administration's response to the 2025 wildfires and homelessness crisis are major campaign issues.
News, Politics, Opinion, Commentary, and AnalysisCalifornia Primary Results: Steve Hilton and Xavier Becerra Advance in Governor Race
The California gubernatorial primary, a nonpartisan 'jungle' primary, saw Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton advance to the November general election. Hilton, a former Fox News host and Trump ally, edged out billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer for the second spot. The Democratic field also included Katie Porter and Matt Mahan. In the Los Angeles mayoral primary, incumbent Democrat Karen Bass will face Democratic Socialist city council member Nithya Raman in the general election, after Bass failed to secure over 50% of the vote. Republican reality TV star Spencer Pratt, who made wildfire response a key issue, was eliminated. The Bass administration's handling of the 2025 wildfires and homelessness crisis are major campaign issues.
News, Politics, Opinion, Commentary, and AnalysisCalifornia Primary Results: Steve Hilton and Xavier Becerra Advance in Governor Race
The California gubernatorial primary, a nonpartisan 'jungle' primary, saw Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton advance to the November general election. Hilton, a former Fox News host and MAGA figure endorsed by Donald Trump, edged out billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer for the second spot. On the Democratic side, other notable candidates included Katie Porter and Matt Mahan. The Los Angeles mayoral primary also went to a runoff, with incumbent Democrat Karen Bass facing Democratic Socialist city council member Nithya Raman. Republican reality TV star Spencer Pratt, who focused on wildfire response and homelessness, was eliminated. The article also notes that former Congressman Eric Swalwell dropped out after sexual misconduct allegations but remained on the ballot.
News, Politics, Opinion, Commentary, and AnalysisTom Steyer Endorses Xavier Becerra After Losing California Gubernatorial Primary
Tom Steyer, a prominent progressive candidate in the California gubernatorial race, endorsed Democrat Xavier Becerra on Tuesday evening after conceding his loss in the state's primary election. According to Decision Desk HQ projections, Becerra and Republican candidate Steve Hilton secured the top two spots in the primary, setting up a general election face-off for California's highest office. Steyer's endorsement consolidates progressive support behind Becerra as the campaign moves forward.
Just In NewsCalifornia Primary Results: Nithya Raman Advances to LA Mayoral Runoff Against Karen Bass
California's June 2026 primary elections set the stage for competitive general elections in November. In the gubernatorial race, Democrat Xavier Becerra advanced first, while Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host and MAGA figure endorsed by Donald Trump, emerged as the leading GOP candidate. The crowded Democratic field included Tom Steyer, Katie Porter, and Matt Mahan. Former front-runner Eric Swalwell dropped out after sexual misconduct allegations. In the Los Angeles mayoral race, incumbent Democrat Karen Bass failed to secure over 50% of the vote, forcing a runoff against progressive city council member Nithya Raman, a Democratic Socialist. Republican reality-TV star Spencer Pratt, who focused on wildfire response and homelessness, was eliminated. Bass's handling of the devastating 2025 wildfires is a major campaign issue.
News, Politics, Opinion, Commentary, and AnalysisCalifornia Primary Results: Nithya Raman Advances to LA Mayoral Runoff; Xavier Becerra Leads Gubernatorial Race
The California gubernatorial primary, a 'jungle' primary where all candidates compete regardless of party, saw Democrat Xavier Becerra advance to the November general election. He will face Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host and MAGA figure endorsed by Donald Trump. Other notable Democrats included Tom Steyer, Katie Porter, and Matt Mahan. In the Los Angeles mayoral race, progressive city-council member Nithya Raman advanced to a runoff against incumbent Karen Bass. The article also notes that former candidate Eric Swalwell dropped out after sexual misconduct allegations but remained on the ballot due to late withdrawal.
News, Politics, Opinion, Commentary, and AnalysisBecerra and Trump-backed Hilton projected to face off in California governor's race
Former California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, a Democrat, and former Fox News host Steve Hilton, a Republican, are projected to advance to the general election for governor of California, according to Decision Desk HQ. Hilton consolidated GOP support with the help of an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, while the Democratic field remained fragmented due to a crowded primary. The matchup sets up a high-profile contest between a seasoned Democratic politician and a conservative media figure backed by Trump, reflecting the polarized political landscape in California.
Just In NewsCalifornia Primary Results: Xavier Becerra and Karen Bass Advance to General Elections
The California gubernatorial and Los Angeles mayoral primaries, both 'jungle' primaries, have set the stage for November general elections. In the gubernatorial race, Democrat Xavier Becerra, former federal health official and state attorney general, secured a spot in the general election. He will face the leading Republican candidate Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host and UK political adviser endorsed by Donald Trump. Other prominent Democrats in the primary included Tom Steyer, Katie Porter, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. The race was impacted by the late withdrawal of former front-runner Eric Swalwell after sexual misconduct allegations. In the Los Angeles mayoral primary, incumbent Democrat Karen Bass advanced but failed to secure over 50% of the vote, forcing a general election. Her main Democratic challenger is city council member Nithya Raman, while Republican reality TV star Spencer Pratt, who made wildfire response a key issue, is the leading GOP candidate. Bass's handling of the devastating 2025 wildfires is a major campaign issue.
News, Politics, Opinion, Commentary, and AnalysisCalifornia Primary Results: Xavier Becerra and Karen Bass Advance to General Elections
The California gubernatorial and Los Angeles mayoral primaries, both 'jungle' primaries, have produced finalists for the November general elections. In the gubernatorial race, Democrat Xavier Becerra, former federal health official and state attorney general, secured a spot. He will face the leading Republican candidate, Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host and UK political adviser endorsed by Donald Trump. Other notable Democratic candidates included Tom Steyer, Katie Porter, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. The race was shaken when former front-runner Eric Swalwell dropped out after sexual misconduct allegations. In the Los Angeles mayoral primary, incumbent Democrat Karen Bass advanced despite criticism over her administration's response to the devastating 2025 wildfires. Her main challenger is city council member Nithya Raman, a Democratic Socialist. The leading Republican candidate is reality TV star Spencer Pratt, who has focused on wildfire response and homelessness. Both general elections will be held in November.
News, Politics, Opinion, Commentary, and AnalysisCalifornia Primary Results: Xavier Becerra and Karen Bass Advance to General Elections
The California gubernatorial and Los Angeles mayoral primaries, both 'jungle' primaries, have set the stage for November general elections. In the gubernatorial race, Democrat Xavier Becerra, former federal health official and state attorney general, advanced as the first candidate. He will face the leading Republican candidate Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host and MAGA figure endorsed by Donald Trump. Other notable Democratic candidates included Tom Steyer, Katie Porter, and Matt Mahan. The race was impacted by former front-runner Eric Swalwell dropping out after sexual misconduct allegations. In the Los Angeles mayoral primary, incumbent Democrat Karen Bass advanced but failed to secure over 50% of the vote, forcing a general election. Her main Democratic challenger is city council member Nithya Raman, while Republican reality TV star Spencer Pratt also advanced. Bass's administration's response to the devastating 2025 wildfires and the city's homelessness crisis are key campaign issues.
News, Politics, Opinion, Commentary, and AnalysisXavier Becerra Advances to California Governor General Election
Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra (D) has advanced to the November general election in California's gubernatorial race, according to Decision Desk HQ projections. The race for the second spot remains contested between Fox News commentator Steve Hilton (R) and billionaire Tom Steyer (D). California voters will decide the next governor in the general election, with Becerra securing his place as a leading Democratic candidate. The outcome will shape the state's leadership amid ongoing political dynamics.
Just In NewsCalifornia Governor Primary Unresolved as Steyer Trails After Record Spending
California's crowded primary for governor remained unresolved early Wednesday, with Democrats Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer and Republican Steve Hilton leading the field. The Associated Press has not yet called the race due to the state's history of late-arriving mail and drop-off votes. Billionaire former presidential candidate Tom Steyer spent over $215 million, more than any primary candidate in the country, but was running third behind Hilton and Becerra. The top two finishers will advance to the November general election. The campaign centered on California's high cost of living, including gas prices at $6.08 per gallon and median home prices around $775,000. Steyer campaigned on raising taxes on corporations and the ultrawealthy, while Hilton proposed making the first $100,000 of income tax-free and increasing oil production. Becerra pitched himself as a steady hand with decades of public service experience.
Fortune | FORTUNECalifornia Governor Primary Unresolved: Steyer's $215 Million Yields Third Place
California's crowded gubernatorial primary remained unresolved early Wednesday as votes continued to be counted. The top two finishers from the single-ballot primary will advance to the November general election. Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton were leading, with billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer running third despite spending over $215 million, more than any other primary candidate nationwide. The race centered on California's high cost of living, including gas prices at $6.08 per gallon and median home prices around $775,000. Steyer campaigned on raising taxes on corporations and the ultra-wealthy, while Hilton proposed eliminating income tax on the first $100,000 and increasing oil production. Becerra positioned himself as an experienced leader against the Trump administration. The Associated Press has not yet called the race due to California's history of late-arriving mail ballots.
Fortune | FORTUNEHilton and Becerra Take Early Lead in California Governor Primary Race
In California's open primary for governor on June 2, 2026, Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra each secured about 26% of the vote with 42% of precincts partially reporting. Democratic billionaire Tom Steyer trailed with 19.8%. Under California's jungle primary system, the top two vote-getters, regardless of party, will advance to the November general election. Becerra, a former U.S. Health Secretary and state attorney general, could become the first Latino elected governor in a state where 40% of the population is Hispanic. Hilton, a British-born former Fox News host endorsed by Donald Trump, campaigned against Democratic policies on homelessness and affordability. The Democratic field consolidated around Becerra after former frontrunner Eric Swalwell left the race following sexual assault allegations.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Live Results: California Gubernatorial Primary Election
Voters in California are heading to the polls on Tuesday for the gubernatorial primary election to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom (D). The race features a crowded field of candidates from both the Democratic and Republican parties. Under California's top-two primary system, the two candidates who receive the most votes, regardless of party affiliation, will advance to the general election. Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra is among the prominent candidates in the race. The primary results will determine which two candidates will compete in the general election to become California's next governor.
Just In NewsBecerra holds 6-point lead in California gubernatorial primary poll
A new Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics survey released on Saturday shows former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra (D) leading the California gubernatorial primary race with 28 percent support, holding a 6-point advantage over his closest rival, a billionaire, in the final days before the June 2 primary. The poll indicates Becerra as the frontrunner as Californians prepare to vote.
Just In NewsXavier Becerra Poised for Comeback in California Governor Race
Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra is expected to finish as a front-runner in the California governor race to succeed Gavin Newsom, marking a significant political comeback after polling in single digits months ago. Democrats attribute his momentum to several factors, including the exit of former Rep. Eric Swalwell from the race. The election is set for Tuesday, and Becerra's rise reflects a shift in the Democratic primary dynamics.
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