Full Breakdown
California Gubernatorial Race: Hilton vs. Becerra Advance to General Election
6/10/2026, 4:57:58 AM
Primary Results
Steve Hilton, former Fox News host endorsed by President Donald Trump, and Democrat Xavier Becerra, former HHS secretary and California attorney general, topped the June 4 primary, securing the November ballot.
Context
California has been under unified Democratic control for more than 15 years, with Gov. Gavin Newsom term-limited. The primary included billionaire Tom Steyer, who spent over $200 million but finished third. In April, President Trump endorsed Hilton, consolidating GOP support amid fears a split Democratic vote could allow a Republican win. Voter registration shows roughly 4.6 million more Democrats than Republicans, about twice as many.
Candidates
Steve Hilton, adviser to Conservative leaders, former PM David Cameron, arrived in 2012 and became a U.S. citizen in 2021. He hosted a Fox News program (2017-2023) but has never held elected office. His platform proposes a $100,000 income-tax exemption, homebuyer loans, tuition freezes and reduced bureaucracy.
Xavier Becerra served 24 years in the U.S. House, was California attorney general, and led HHS under President Biden. He stresses crisis-management experience, arguing his record handling national emergencies prepares him to address California’s fiscal and social challenges.
Official Statements & Responses
Hilton said his mission is ‘clean up corruption, cut costs, help businesses, and fix schools,’ blaming Democratic leadership for high taxes and cost of living, and says Californians want change. Becerra emphasized his experience, arguing his crisis-management record qualifies him to solve problems. Trump’s endorsement was framed as a signal.
Criticism & Opposition
Hilton’s record faced scrutiny over his handling of the child migrant crisis and the mpox outbreak, and his chief of staff pleaded guilty to fraud involving a Becerra campaign account. Becerra has been labeled ‘not effective’ as HHS secretary by a former DOJ spokesman, with critics noting limited briefings during COVID-19.
Quotes
- “I think that actually this year could be different.” — Steve Hilton, interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett
- “My mission is clear: to go to Sacramento, clean up the corruption, cut your costs, help your business, and fix our schools.” — Steve Hilton, campaign statement
- “Xavier Becerra is the ultimate career politician. After 36 years in the political machine, his policies gave California the highest poverty rate, the highest unemployment rate, and the highest cost of living in America. Now he promises ‘no change’ to those policies.” — Steve Hilton, campaign statement
- “I think it’s a vicious attack on fairness in our electoral process, and it’s almost a whitewashing of history.” — Xavier Becerra, video commentary on Supreme Court decision
What's Next
The November 2026 ballot will decide whether California elects the first GOP candidate to win a statewide office since 2006 or continues Democratic leadership under Becerra. Campaigns will focus on affordability, taxes, and public-sector reform.
