Full Breakdown
California Gubernatorial Primary: Hilton and Becerra Lead in Tight Top-Two Race
6/4/2026, 2:25:29 AM
The Primary Outcome
Early returns from the June 2, 2026 primary show Republican former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Democrat former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary Xavier Becerra holding the two highest vote totals. Reported percentages range from 26 % to 28 % for Hilton and 25 % to 26 % for Becerra, each with over 1.2 million votes. Billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer trails in third place with roughly 20 % of the vote. Ballots continue to be counted, and final certification may shift the margins.
Background & Context
California uses a nonpartisan “jungle” primary: all candidates appear on one ballot and the top two, regardless of party, advance to the November 3 general election. The race follows the term-limit departure of Gov. Gavin Newsom and featured 61 candidates, including multiple Democrats, Republicans, and independents. Voters cited soaring housing costs, homelessness, and high energy prices as decisive issues.
Key Candidates
- Steve Hilton – British-born former Fox News commentator and former director of strategy for UK Prime Minister David Cameron; U.S. citizen since 2021; endorsed by President Donald Trump.
- Xavier Becerra – Former California attorney general (2017-2021), U.S. congressman from Los Angeles (1992-2017), and HHS secretary under President Joe Biden.
- Tom Steyer – Billionaire hedge-fund manager, 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, and longtime climate activist; self-funded campaign exceeding $200 million.
- Chad Bianco – Riverside County sheriff and Republican gubernatorial contender; noted for extreme rhetoric during the campaign.
Data & Statistics
- Vote share (early): Hilton ? 27 %, Becerra ? 26 %, Steyer ? 20 % (varies by outlet).
- Top-two vote totals: each > 1.2 million; Becerra trails Hilton by about 120 000 votes (Straits Times).
- Campaign spending: Steyer invested $200-$215 million of personal wealth; other candidates’ expenditures not disclosed.
- Cost-of-living: 70 % of voters label it “unmanageable” (CBS poll); median home price $775 000 (Legislative Analyst’s Office); gasoline $6.08 /gal (AAA); electricity rates second highest nationally (EIA).
- Demographics: 40 % of residents are Hispanic/Latino; state population ? 39 million; economy valued at $4 trillion.
Why It Matters
The winner will govern the nation’s most populous state and a $4 trillion economy, overseeing policy on water scarcity, housing affordability, homelessness, and energy regulation. A Becerra victory would make him the first Latino governor in a state where 40 % of voters share that heritage. The race also tests whether a Republican can break the Democratic dominance of statewide offices since 2011.
Official Statements & Responses
Hilton framed his campaign as a “Califordable” reset, pledging tax cuts, deregulation, and a revival of the state’s economic dynamism. Becerra emphasized his decades of public-service experience, positioning the governor’s office as a role “without training wheels” that requires crisis management. Steyer argued that corporate and billionaire influence must be curbed, promising higher taxes on the wealthy and a break-up of utilities.
Criticism & Opposition
Steyer’s self-financing drew accusations of “buying the election.” Hilton faced criticism for attributing housing costs to climate-policy restrictions and for echoing Trump-era immigration rhetoric. Bianco’s statement about using a “nuclear bomb” to destroy state government attracted widespread condemnation. Some observers questioned whether the top-two system could inadvertently allow two Republicans to advance in a heavily Democratic electorate.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on exact vote percentages (e.g., CBS 26 % vs. Straits Times 27.8 % for Hilton) and on the precise vote gap between the leaders. Final vote totals remain unverified pending completion of mail-in and provisional ballot counts.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Change is coming to California, and it's long overdue,” — Steve Hilton, Republican gubernatorial candidate (Fox News).
- “The governor's office is not a place with training wheels,” — Xavier Becerra, Democratic gubernatorial candidate (CBS).
- “We should have a system based on fairness, not asking for fairness,” — Tom Steyer, Democratic gubernatorial candidate (PBS).
- “I am the antithesis to California state government because I am going to take a nuclear bomb into that building and absolutely destroy everything that they do to us behind closed doors,” — Chad Bianco, Republican sheriff and gubernatorial candidate (ABC7).
- “Together, we've scared the hell out of the corporate interests used to getting their way,” — Tom Steyer, Democratic gubernatorial candidate (NPR).
What’s Next
County election officials expect the remaining mail-in and provisional ballots to be tallied over the next week, with a final certification likely within ten days. The two candidates who emerge will face off in the November 3 general election, where policy proposals on affordability, homelessness, and climate regulation will be central to the statewide contest.
