Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has secured a place in California’s gubernatorial general election, according to projections, positioning himself as a leading contender to succeed term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom.
Becerra emerged from California’s all-party primary after gaining strong support in the closing weeks of the campaign. With roughly two-thirds of the vote counted, he led the field with approximately 27% of the vote, narrowly ahead of Republican candidate Steve Hilton, who held around 26%. Billionaire activist Tom Steyer followed with about 21%, leaving the race for the second general election spot still undecided.
A former California attorney general and 12-term congressman, Becerra campaigned as a mainstream Democrat with extensive government experience. His rise came after months of low polling numbers and was accelerated by the departure of former Congressman Eric Swalwell from the race in April following allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, claims he has denied.
California’s unique primary system places all candidates, regardless of political affiliation, on the same ballot. The top two vote-getters advance to the general election, making party affiliation less important during the primary phase and often creating highly competitive contests.
Steve Hilton, a former political adviser to former British Prime Minister David Cameron and a former Fox News commentator, built his campaign around tax reductions, deregulation, and increasing homeownership opportunities. Hilton received a major boost when President Donald Trump endorsed his candidacy in April, helping consolidate Republican support behind his campaign.
Meanwhile, Steyer positioned himself as the progressive alternative in the race, advocating for policies such as single-payer healthcare, higher taxes on oil company profits, and a billionaire tax proposal. The businessman invested nearly $200 million of his own money into the campaign, making him one of the most heavily funded candidates in the contest.
The race also featured a crowded field of candidates, including former Representative Katie Porter, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.
Despite his success, Becerra faced criticism during the campaign from some former colleagues in the Biden administration, who questioned his management record and ability to oversee California’s vast state bureaucracy. He also faced scrutiny over campaign-related controversies, including guilty pleas from two former consultants accused of stealing funds from an inactive campaign account.
With California remaining a strongly Democratic state, political analysts believe Becerra would enter the November election as a formidable favorite if he becomes the sole Democratic candidate on the ballot. However, the final matchup will not be known until vote counting is completed and the second-place finisher is officially determined.