Full Breakdown
Xavier Becerra Secures Spot in California Governor’s Race
6/6/2026, 5:55:27 AM
The Primary Outcome
Former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary Xavier Becerra finished among the top two vote-getters in California’s June 2 nonpartisan primary, guaranteeing his place on the November ballot for governor. With roughly 26-27 % of the votes counted, Becerra edged Republican former Fox News host Steve Hilton (?26 %) and led ahead of billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer (?21 %). An estimated 3.5 million mail-in ballots remain uncounted, leaving the final ranking for the second spot unresolved.
Background & Context
California’s “top-two” primary places all candidates on a single ballot; the two highest vote-getters advance regardless of party. The election follows the term-limit-driven exit of Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is widely expected to run for president in 2028. The field initially featured more than 60 candidates, prompting fears that a split Democratic vote could allow two Republicans to advance—a scenario party officials sought to avoid.
Key Figures
- Xavier Becerra – Former state attorney general, 12-term U.S. congressman, and Biden-era HHS secretary. He presents himself as an experienced, moderate Democrat.
- Steve Hilton – British-born former Fox News commentator, Trump-endorsed Republican, and former aide to UK Prime Minister David Cameron.
- Tom Steyer – Hedge-fund billionaire and climate activist who has self-financed his campaign with nearly $215 million.
- Eric Swalwell – Early Democratic front-runner whose April exit after sexual-misconduct allegations cleared a path for Becerra’s surge.
Timeline of the Race
- April 2026 – Swalwell withdraws following misconduct allegations.
- June 2, 2026 – Primary election held; early returns show Hilton leading.
- June 5, 2026 – Becerra overtakes Hilton as additional precincts report; AP projects Becerra’s advancement.
Data & Statistics
- Becerra: 26.6 % (AP), 27 % (NBC, CBS) of counted votes.
- Hilton: 26.4 % (AP), 26 % (NBC) of counted votes.
- Steyer: 21 % (AP) of counted votes.
- Uncounted ballots: ~3.5 million, potentially shifting the second-place finish.
- Campaign spending: Steyer ? $215 million; Becerra’s fundraising relies on labor, industry groups and modest personal contributions.
Why It Matters
If elected, Becerra would become California’s first Latino governor since Romualdo Pacheco in 1875, reflecting the state’s ? 40 % Hispanic/Latino population. His platform largely mirrors Gov. Newsom’s policies, promising emergency declarations to curb energy costs, freeze home-insurance rates, and enforce housing-law compliance. The outcome also determines whether California will face a Democrat-Republican showdown or a rare Democrat-Democrat general election.
Official Statements & Responses
- Becerra’s campaign emphasized continuity with Newsom, pledging “states of emergency” to address the affordability crisis and to “freeze utility and home-insurance rates.”
- Secretary of State Shirley Weber reiterated that “accuracy comes before speed” in the ongoing ballot count.
- Gov. Newsom’s office warned that prolonged counting “creates fertile ground for misinformation,” urging a swift yet thorough tally.
Criticism & Opposition
Opponents highlighted Becerra’s record as HHS secretary, citing the 2021 child-migrant shelter controversy and the 2022 mpox response. Hilton framed Becerra as a symbol of the “status quo” under Newsom, while Steyer attacked Becerra’s ties to corporate donors and questioned his handling of migrant-child placements.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I am ready to lead the fight to uphold California’s promise to make sure we have the governance worthy of our gifts,” — Xavier Becerra
- “He inherited a super, super tough situation, and worked night and day, day and night, to try to do the humane thing by these kids and get them reunited with their US family members,” — Ron Klain
- “We must acknowledge that the longer the vote count takes, the more mis- and dis-information spreads,” — Gov. Gavin Newsom
- “The Dumocrats are at it again! They are trying to STEAL THE GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA PRIMARY, AND THE MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES, PRIMARY, AWAY FROM TWO GREAT REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES. Here we go with the very late and massive numbers of MAIL IN BALLOTS.” — Donald Trump
- “He said, if elected, he "will end this FARCE and make sure all votes are counted within 48 hours of the mail-in deadline.” — Steve Hilton
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Early tallies placed Hilton ahead; later counts showed Becerra leading, creating divergent media narratives. Reported percentages differ by a few tenths of a point, and the final ranking for the second spot remains uncertain pending the remaining mail-in ballots.
What’s Next
The November general election will pit Becerra against either Hilton or Steyer, depending on the final count. Both candidates must navigate California’s extensive mail-in system, which allows ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted up to a week later. State officials expect the full result within two weeks, after which campaign strategies will shift toward statewide issues of housing, energy costs, and wildfire preparedness.
