Republican commentator Steve Hilton and Democratic former US Health Secretary Xavier Becerra have emerged as the leading contenders in California’s open primary for governor, positioning themselves to likely face each other in the November 3 general election if current results remain unchanged.
Early vote counts suggest a potential head to head matchup between the two candidates under California’s “jungle primary” system, where all candidates compete on a single ballot and the top two vote getters advance regardless of party affiliation.
Becerra, who previously served as California attorney general and represented Los Angeles in Congress before joining President Joe Biden’s cabinet, appeared to secure a strong lead among Democratic candidates. Should he win in November, he would make history as the state’s first Latino governor in a population where nearly 40% of residents identify as Hispanic or Latino.
In a speech to supporters, Becerra called for patience as ballots continue to be counted, while expressing optimism about his position heading into the next stage of the race. Speaking partly in Spanish, he framed the result as a milestone moment for his campaign and family background, describing himself as the son of immigrant parents and suggesting the outcome brought him closer to becoming governor.
Hilton, a British born political commentator and former Fox News host who became a US citizen in 2021, also addressed supporters in a celebratory tone. Once an adviser in UK politics, he has built his campaign around criticism of Democratic leadership in California, focusing on issues such as housing costs, homelessness, and state regulation. Endorsed by Donald Trump, he argued that voters were signaling a desire for major political change in the state, which has not elected a Republican statewide leader since Arnold Schwarzenegger left office in 2011.
The broader Democratic field appeared to consolidate around Becerra after former frontrunner Eric Swalwell exited the race earlier in the year and left Congress amid allegations from a former staffer, which he has denied.
In the same election cycle, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is also leading her re-election bid, facing a competitive field that includes Republican television personality Spencer Pratt and City Councilmember Nithya Raman. Bass has centered her campaign on issues including housing shortages, affordability, and recovery efforts following recent wildfire damage.
The primary also reflects a larger political shift in California, as newly drawn congressional maps and ongoing national redistricting battles set the stage for a closely watched midterm season that could influence control of the US House of Representatives.
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