Steve Hilton and Xavier Becerra advance to California governor's general election
Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra have secured the top two spots in California's primary election and will face off in November's general election. With 91% of votes counted, Becerra led with 27.9% and Hilton followed with 25%, emerging from a crowded field of 61 candidates. The race will test whether a Republican can win in a state where nearly half of registered voters are Democrats.
After a week of vote counting that saw Republican Steve Hilton's early Election Night lead gradually diminish, the California governor's race has narrowed to two candidates: Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Hilton. Becerra secured 27.9% of the vote with Hilton at 25% as of Tuesday evening with 91% counted. The race to replace termed-out Governor Gavin Newsom drew 61 total candidates, including eight prominent Democrats, though the field was disrupted when frontrunner Congressman Eric Swalwell withdrew in April amid allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denies. Notable candidates who did not advance include billionaire Tom Steyer, Congresswoman Katie Porter, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Hilton, a Fox News host, has proposed using state law enforcement to clear homeless encampments, permitting offshore drilling, and implementing a flat 7.5% tax rate, while Becerra did not respond to requests for comment on his platform.
How coverage differed
The Los Angeles Times framed the race around Democratic concerns about being 'shut out,' emphasizing party anxiety, while Axios provided more comprehensive context about the broader field, candidate withdrawals, and structural issues within the Democratic party, offering a more balanced overview of the race dynamics.
What different sources said
Hilton and Becerra lead in a tightening race in final weeks of California governor's campaign, poll shows
- AxiosCenter
California governor's race is down to two candidates
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