Voters in California decided on Tuesday who would succeed Governor Gavin Newsom, choosing between Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton for the state's highest executive office. The election highlights the nation's most populous state as a key battleground where issues of affordability, political experience, and the influence of the Trump administration are central to the debate.
Becerra, a former U.S. Attorney General and health secretary, has positioned himself as a seasoned leader capable of maintaining California's role as a liberal counterweight to federal Republican policies. In contrast, Hilton, a former political adviser in the United Kingdom and Fox News host, has campaigned as a fresh face intended to reverse the direction of the state after 15 years of Democratic governance.
The race has been marked by significant disparities in voter registration, with Democrats comprising roughly 45 percent of registered voters compared to 25 percent for Republicans. Despite these odds, Hilton has sought to capitalize on public dissatisfaction with the high cost of living, arguing that experienced Democrats have failed to make housing, gas, and education affordable for the average resident.
Becerra has emphasized his more than 35 years of public service, arguing that his background makes him best suited to navigate the state's complex challenges. During a September debate, he stated that the state needs a leader who has actually defended citizens against federal overreach, questioning the ability of a candidate without prior office to balance California's massive budget.
Hilton has turned his lack of elected experience into a selling point, describing the current state government as a bloated bureaucratic system. He has promised ambitious changes, including the abolition of the Department of Motor Vehicles and a reduction in gas prices to three dollars a gallon, a rate not seen in the state for several years.
The path to the general election was influenced by the withdrawal of former Representative Eric Swalwell, who had been considered a front-runner. Swalwell dropped out and resigned from Congress following allegations of sexual assault, which he has denied. His departure allowed Becerra to rise as a more established alternative within the Democratic party.
Becerra's campaign has focused on linking Hilton to President Donald Trump, who has endorsed the Republican. The Democrat's team launched a website featuring quotes of Hilton supporting the president, aiming to leverage the president's unpopularity in the state. Hilton, meanwhile, has used high-profile advertisements, some featuring AI-generated content, to encourage voters to try a new approach.
The election also drew attention to the integrity of the voting process. The Trump administration alleged that up to 20,000 noncitizens were registered to vote in California. The Department of Justice sued the state to stop the counting of these ballots, but the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the administration's demand on Monday. Election officials maintain that their numbers are likely inflated and that noncitizen voting is rare.
Both candidates share immigrant backgrounds, which has resonated with specific voter groups. Hilton was born in the United Kingdom to parents who fled Hungary, and a victory would make him the first immigrant governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger. Becerra, born in Sacramento to a mother from Mexico and a father raised in Mexico, is campaigning heavily to Latino voters. If elected, he would be the state's first Latino governor since the late 19th century.
Voters expressed varying motivations for their choices. Richard Hartman, an independent construction worker, supported Hilton to bring balance to the state's politics, citing concerns over homelessness. Joy Torrez, a Democratic retiree, expressed pleasure with Becerra's candidacy, noting his background and recent communication with voters in Spanish.
