CBS News has projected that Democrat Xavier Becerra will become the next governor of California, defeating Republican challenger Steve Hilton in a closely watched election. The campaign focused heavily on the state's high cost of living, housing affordability, energy policy, and the evolving relationship between California and the federal government.
Becerra, a former California attorney general who served as Health and Human Services secretary during the Biden administration, will succeed Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom. His victory marks a historic moment, as he will be the first Latino to hold the office since Romualdo Pacheco served more than 150 years ago.
The path to the general election began with a crowded primary field where no single candidate held an early lead. Becerra secured approximately 28 percent of the vote, while Hilton received about 25 percent. Progressive billionaire Tom Steyer finished in third place with roughly 23 percent of the primary vote.
Polling data from the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, which was co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times, indicated that approximately 61 percent of likely voters supported Becerra, compared to 34 percent for Hilton. Becerra's rise in the polls followed the withdrawal of a prominent Bay Area candidate in April after multiple allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, which that candidate has denied.
Both candidates campaigned on lowering everyday costs but proposed different strategies to achieve those goals. Hilton, who received an endorsement from President Trump, argued that state climate policies and regulations contribute significantly to high gas prices. He proposed eliminating state income taxes on the first $150,000 of income, repealing the state gas tax, capping fees on new housing developments, and incorporating 10 new cities to stimulate homebuilding.
Becerra, backed by key figures including Governor Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris, pledged to reduce costs while preserving California's clean energy transition. He criticized Hilton's tax proposals, stating they would make it harder for working families. Becerra plans to address housing affordability by protecting prospective homeowners from being outbid by investors and enforcing laws that require local governments to construct new homes. He also proposed cutting red tape to increase housing supply and expanding access to down payment assistance programs.
Immigration emerged as another major point of contrast between the two candidates. Hilton stated that he would work to secure the border while trying to lower the temperature around the issue. As governor, he said he would support full state cooperation with immigration enforcement and expressed disagreement with California's sanctuary state law, SB 54, which was signed into law by then-Governor Jerry Brown in 2017.
In response, Becerra stated that he would uphold SB 54, a law he defended against the federal government during his tenure as attorney general. The candidates also addressed the state's film industry, with both expressing support for keeping production in Los Angeles. However, Hilton blamed Democrats, including Becerra, for the recent exodus of Hollywood productions.
The issue of homelessness also featured prominently in the campaign. Hilton recently unveiled plans to eliminate state encampments by the end of 2027 and to establish a statewide network of Homeless Recovery Centers. He attributed the crisis largely to Democratic policies. Becerra acknowledged that progress on homelessness has not been good enough and vowed to focus on prevention, with an emphasis on mental health services.
With the election results projected, Becerra prepares to take office as California's next governor, bringing a vision centered on preserving environmental policies while tackling economic challenges faced by residents.
