Becerra Defeats Hilton to Become California's First Latino Governor

Xavier Becerra defeated Steve Hilton on Tuesday to become California’s first Latino governor in more than 150 years. The Associated Press called the race shortly after polls closed at 8 p.m. in the Golden State. By 9:30 p.m., with 49 percent of ballots counted, Becerra held a substantial lead over his opponent.

The path to the general election was shaped by a deep blue electorate and internal Democratic dynamics. California has not elected a Republican to statewide office in two decades. Arnold Schwarzenegger remains the last Republican governor, having ended his term in 2011. Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans in the state by 4.6 million. This structural imbalance placed Hilton, a former Fox News host, at a disadvantage before the general election began.

Becerra’s victory followed a consolidation of support during the June primary. He surged past rivals like Tom Steyer after Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign amid sexual misconduct allegations. Becerra utilized a seven-figure advertising blitz to secure the nomination. He had previously served as California’s attorney general and as the 25th U.S. secretary of health and human services under President Joe Biden.

Hilton campaigned on reducing government waste, lowering living costs, and reforming education and public safety. He proposed eliminating state income tax on the first $150,000 of earnings, lowering gas prices to $3 per gallon, and implementing statewide homeless encampment bans. He also proposed a film tax credit as high as 60 percent to support Hollywood. A viral moment in his campaign involved a gaffe during a video shoot outside the original Del Taco location in Barstow.

Despite an endorsement from President Donald Trump, Hilton struggled to gain traction. Trump’s recent comments suggesting Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego if it developed a nuclear weapon did not improve Hilton’s standing with voters. The former Fox News host conceded defeat on Tuesday night, acknowledging the difficulty of running as a Republican in California during this cycle.

In his victory speech, Becerra addressed the challenges of the past two years, citing higher prices, wars, and lawlessness. He invoked the memory of Dolores Huerta, stating that the campaign’s work allowed them to say “Sí, se puede.” He described the campaign as a necessary mission that the team fought to win.

Becerra plans to focus his administration on affordability, housing, and healthcare. He aims to double the rate of home building in the state. He also intends to work toward a universal single-payer healthcare system and propose a tax on the state’s highest earners. For the entertainment industry, he wants to mandate that studios and streamers provide performance data to all stakeholders. He also plans to expand entertainment tax credits in areas currently losing work.

Becerra is scheduled to be sworn into office on January 5, 2027. He will succeed Governor Gavin Newsom.