Former Biden cabinet member Xavier Becerra is headed for a November showdown after making his way into the top tier of California’s gubernatorial primary, according to the Associated Press.
The ex-Health and Human Services secretary made up significant ground on Republican frontrunner Steve Hilton as late-arriving ballots continued to be counted across the state.
California has spoken. Thank you for standing with us. To every volunteer who made a call, sent a text, knocked a door, or showed up when it mattered most — this victory belongs to you.
We’re just getting started. On to November. pic.twitter.com/fTZ1HFKzNf
— Xavier Becerra (@XavierBecerra) June 6, 2026
With more than 67% of expected ballots tallied, Hilton — the former Fox News host — fell behind with 26.3% of the vote, while Becerra held a razor-thin lead with 26.7% of the vote, according to AP.
As of Friday afternoon, more than 24,000 votes separated the two candidates in a race that has tightened dramatically since Election Day.
The widening gap comes as Democratic and left-leaning voters, who historically return ballots later, continue to have their votes counted — a trend expected to benefit the former state attorney general.
Meanwhile, Democratic billionaire Tom Steyer remained in third place with 21% of the vote, while Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco held onto fourth place with 10.8% of the vote.
