Steve Hilton Advances to California Governor General Election, Will Face Democrat Xavier Becerra
Democrat Xavier Becerra and Trump-backed Republican Steve Hilton secured the top two spots in California's jungle primary for governor, eliminating billionaire progressive Tom Steyer, who spent over $213 million of his own money on the race. California's top-two primary system, combined with a crowded Democratic field and the late collapse of frontrunner Eric Swalwell over sexual misconduct allegations, shaped the outcome, with Becerra consolidating moderate Democratic support. The November matchup sets up a heavily favored Democrat against a Republican who faces long odds in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly two-to-one and no Republican has won statewide office since 2006.
With approximately 88–91% of votes counted as of Tuesday, June 9, 2026, the Associated Press called the California gubernatorial primary: Xavier Becerra finished first with roughly 27.9% of the vote, Steve Hilton second with approximately 25%, and Tom Steyer third with about 22.5%, ending Steyer's bid despite his record-breaking $213–216 million in personal spending on the race. Combined with over $340 million spent on his failed 2020 presidential campaign, Steyer has now spent more than $557 million of his own money on unsuccessful bids for elected office. Hilton, a British-born former Fox News host and ex-adviser to UK Prime Minister David Cameron who became a U.S. citizen in 2021, was propelled past fellow Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco after receiving President Trump's endorsement in April. Becerra, a former California attorney general and Biden administration HHS secretary, surged from low single digits after Democratic frontrunner Rep. Eric Swalwell abruptly exited the race in April amid sexual assault and misconduct allegations he denies. The general election is widely expected to favor Becerra heavily: a UC Berkeley IGS poll conducted before the primary showed him leading Hilton 52% to 31% among registered voters, with prediction markets pricing Hilton's chances at roughly 9%, as Democrats hold a nearly two-to-one registration advantage and Trump, who endorsed Hilton, has a 69% disapproval rating in California.
What's missing
Sources do not quantify the fiscal impact of Hilton's proposals — such as eliminating income tax on the first $100,000 in earnings and cutting one-third of state spending — nor do they detail what specific legal or regulatory challenges these proposals would face given the Democratic supermajority in the California Legislature.
How coverage differed
Right-leaning outlets (Washington Examiner, Fox News, Daily Wire, Breitbart) emphasized Trump's role in Hilton's success, framed Steyer's loss as a cautionary tale of wasted spending, and highlighted Republican enthusiasm, while left-leaning and center outlets (NBC News, NYT, The Guardian, The Intercept, Mother Jones) gave more weight to Hilton's structural disadvantages in the general election, Becerra's anti-Trump credentials, and the progressive critique of Becerra's corporate donor ties.
What different sources said
Tom Steyer Spent $558 Million. What a Waste.
- NewsweekCenter
Steve Hilton’s Chances of Beating Becerra to Flip California: New Poll
- SFGATECenter
Becerra has big lead over Hilton in 1st poll since primary election
- Washington ExaminerRight
Trump-backed Steve Hilton advances to general election for California governor
- The Guardian USLeft
Republican Steve Hilton advances in tight California governor’s race
Becerra heads toward the November election with a major edge over Hilton in governor's race, poll shows
- KQEDCenter
Steve Hilton Edges Out Tom Steyer for Second Spot in California Governor Election
- New York PostRight
Steve Hilton floats pact to bring Spencer Pratt into governor’s race: ‘100%, I’d love that’
- ABC NewsCenter
Republican Steve Hilton advances to general election in Calif. gov race, ABC projects
- The Straits TimesCenter
Hilton projected to advance in race for California governor to face Becerra
- CBS NewsCenter
Hilton to face Becerra in election for California governor, CBS News projects
- Fox NewsRight
Trump-backed Hilton advances to California governor general election
- Daily WireRight
Trump-Backed Steve Hilton Knocks Billionaire Tom Steyer Out of Cali Governor’s Race
- BBC Top StoriesCenter
Former Cameron adviser Steve Hilton advances in California governor's race
- The Hollywood ReporterCenter
Former Fox News Host Steve Hilton Comes in Second in California Primary, Will Challenge Xavier Becerra for Governor
- The InterceptLeft
In California, a Former Biden Official and Fox News Personality Will Face Off for Governor
- BreitbartFar Right
Republican Steve Hilton Advances in California Gubernatorial Race
- AP NewsCenter
Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton will face off in California governor’s race
- Mother JonesLeft
Becerra and Hilton Advance in California Governor’s Race
- NBC NewsLeft
Republican Steve Hilton to face Democrat Xavier Becerra in California governor’s race
- AxiosCenter
California governor's race is down to two candidates
- South China Morning PostCenter
The US$4.25 trillion question: Becerra and Hilton will face off for California governor
- WaPo PoliticsLeft
Hilton, Becerra lead in California’s governor primary. See live results here.
- CalMattersCenter
Election update: Republican Steve Hilton to face Becerra in November
- ForbesCenter
Billionaire Tom Steyer Doesn't Make California Governor Runoff After $200 Million Campaign
- SemaforCenter
Why Democrats rejected ‘class traitor’ Steyer in California
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