Democrat Xavier Becerra coasts to victory in California governor’s race after uninspiring campaign

Democrat Xavier Becerra went from an afterthought in the polls earlier this spring to California’s new governor on Tuesday, beating Republican Steve Hilton despite running a campaign offering little in inspiration for the state.

Associated Press declared Becerra the winner just after polls closed at 8 pm without counting any votes.

However, early numbers showed the Democrat likely to beat Hilton by a margin of 59.8% to 40.2% of votes.

Becerra, who was seen as a heavy favorite in recent polling, will succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom after being sworn into office in January.

Two months before the June primary, Becerra was in sixth place and struggling to get on a debate stage.

A former California attorney general, congressman and Biden health secretary, his lengthy résumé spanning Sacramento and Washington was seen as impressive but uninspiring.

But his position as a safe, if bland, choice became a strength after the Democratic frontrunner in the primary — disgraced ex-congressman Eric Swalwell — saw his campaign for California governor implode when several women publicly accused him of sexual assault.

Once Swalwell dropped out, Becerra turned the fight for Democratic voters into a head-to-head contest with billionaire Tom Steyer, who dropped a recored $200 million-plus on the race.

Becerra’s rise came without a splashy policy rollout or a wholesale reinvention of his campaign, helping Democrats avoid an embarrassing scenario in which Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco threatened to make the November runoff a race between two Republicans.

“He’s really the California comeback kid,” Democratic political consultant Steve Maviglio told the California Post.

“You gotta remember, for months we were talking about how we might not even have a Democrat to vote for. That was a real scenario back then.”

Becerra also had a record to run on in a race where Democrats were competing to see who could take the hardest line against President Trump.

“He had receipts because of all the lawsuits,” Maviglio said, referring to Becerra’s years as California attorney general.

As the summer gave way to fall, the veteran Dem steadily built on his lead over Hilton, which was largely due to Democrat’s overwhelming registration advantage over Republicans – 45% to 25%, respectively.

Maviglio said he sees shades of past governors Gray Davis and Jerry Brown in Becerra, who should work closely with the Legislature and spend much focusing on the cost of living.

A recent California Post poll found that 56% of likely voters believe California is on the wrong track.

Hilton, a former Fox News host and adviser to British Prime Minister David Cameron, fought an uphill battle in overwhelmingly blue California, where Democrats hold a commanding advantage over Republicans in voter registration.

Hilton had President Donald Trump’s endorsement and a stack of policy plans to address the affordability crisis — from $3 gas and $73 car registration to no income taxes on the first $150,000.

He also pitched plans to curb state spending, terminate the high-speed rail boondoggle and slash regulations to increase energy production within California.

In a final message to voters Tuesday, Hilton posted a video of a speech he delivered from a perch overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. Focusing on California’s natural beauty and innovation, he noted that many residents and businesses have been fleeing the state in recent years.

“Despite all our incredible advantages, people have been leaving California,” Hilton said. “Millions of people moving to other states without anything like what we have to offer, businesses moving to other states. Why would anyone leave such an incredible place as this?”

He added, “It’s not because of anything to do with California. It’s to do with our government.”

California means to America what America means to the world. No one understands that quite like me.

One final message as I ask for the privilege of serving as your governor. 👇 pic.twitter.com/2xjWDN4SsV

— Steve Hilton (@SteveHiltonx) November 4, 2026

Becerra campaigned on housing, health care and federal immigration enforcement, largely framing his candidacy as a referendum on President Trump and linking his opponent to the president.

Only recently did Becerra reemerge on the campaign trail after making few appearances in the late summer.

Becerra weathered attacks on his record, including his tenure running the federal health department, after former colleagues sharply criticized his leadership.

One ex-Biden official described Becerra as hapless and even callous in his handling of a child migrant crisis at HHS, claiming he referred to the vulnerable minors as ‘little Juanitos and Juanitas.’”

In early April, few expected Becerra to even make it to November.

But no one benefited more when Democrats were sent scrambling for a safe candidate after Swalwell’s collapse. The Bay Area congressman, who is married with three children, suspended his campaign in mid-April and quit the House after reports of sexual assault and other misconduct allegations.

He denied any wrongdoing beyond personal failings.

By the following week, Becerra was picking up money and endorsements — and support from key figures in Newsom’s political orbit — and edged out progressive rivals Tom Steyer and former Rep. Katie Porter in the June primary.

Becerra’s policy proposals have been notably light on specifics, but he has pledged to speed up building permits, use public land and state financing to get more homes built, and enforce housing laws against cities that fall short of their obligations.

On health care, Becerra has said he wants to move the state toward universal coverage and protect existing coverage from federal cuts. He has proposed automating Medi-Cal renewals so eligible patients don’t lose coverage over paperwork and creating a fraud task force to go after abuses in hospice care and other services.

Becerra is scheduled to take office Jan. 4, 2027

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