Trump and affordability shape California governor’s race
The victor will take over from Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who cannot seek a third term and is considering a presidential run. Becerra, a former state attorney general, has cast himself as an experienced defender of California’s liberal policies against the Trump administration. Hilton, a former U.K. political adviser and Fox News host who has never held elected office, says the state needs a fresh approach after 15 years of Democratic leadership.
Affordability has been central to the campaign. Hilton has pledged to eliminate the DMV and lower gas prices to $3 per gallon. He argues that Democratic leadership has left residents struggling with the cost of housing, fuel and college. Becerra points to more than 35 years in government and says his experience makes him better prepared to lead.
Trump’s endorsement of Hilton has given Becerra a way to connect his opponent to a president deeply unpopular in California. The race also unfolded amid a dispute over election rules: the Trump administration alleged that as many as 20,000 noncitizens might be registered to vote and sued to block counting ballots cast by them. The Supreme Court rejected the administration’s demand on November 2. California election officials say they follow federal law, while election experts say noncitizen voting seldom occurs and evidence has not shown it alters election outcomes.
Democrats account for about 45% of California’s registered voters, compared with 25% for Republicans, leaving Hilton with steep odds. Both candidates have also highlighted their immigrant family histories. Becerra, born in Sacramento to a Mexican-born mother, has appealed to Latino voters; Hilton was born in the U.K. to Hungarian parents who fled communism.
California’s choice: experienced Becerra or Trump-backed Hilton
California’s governor’s race put the state’s liberal direction and its election system in sharp focus on November 3. Democrat Xavier Becerra has promised to defend California against the Trump administration’s policies, while Republican Steve Hilton has the president’s endorsement and has pitched himself as a break from Democratic rule.
Becerra’s case rests on experience: he has served as state attorney general, a member of Congress and U.S. health secretary, and cites more than 35 years in government. Hilton has never held elected office. His proposals to eliminate the DMV and lower gas prices to $3 per gallon offer sweeping promises, but he argues that Democratic leadership has left Californians struggling to afford housing, fuel and college.
The administration’s effort to challenge ballot counting also became part of the contest. It alleged that up to 20,000 noncitizens might be registered and sued to stop officials from counting ballots cast by them. The Supreme Court rejected that demand on November 2, after lower courts had sided with California. State and local officials say they follow federal law; specialists in elections say noncitizen voting seldom occurs and evidence has not shown it alters election outcomes.
With Democrats making up roughly 45% of registered voters and Republicans 25%, Hilton faces a difficult path. Becerra has sought to tie him to Trump, while emphasizing his own record and appeal to Latino voters. The choice is between an experienced advocate for California’s existing direction and a Trump-endorsed challenger promising change.
Hilton offers California voters a break from one-party rule
California voters faced a choice on November 3 between continuing Democratic leadership and giving Republican Steve Hilton a chance to change course. Hilton has made the cost of living his central argument, saying residents struggle to afford gas, housing and college after 15 years of Democratic rule. He has pledged to eliminate the DMV and lower gas prices to $3 per gallon.
Democrat Xavier Becerra answers with his government experience, including service as state attorney general, as a member of Congress and U.S. health secretary. He says his more than 35 years in politics make him the stronger choice. Hilton, who has never held elected office, casts himself as a fresh face rather than a career politician and argues that experience has not solved Californians’ problems.
The contest also became a test of how closely Becerra could link Hilton to President Donald Trump, who endorsed the Republican. Trump’s administration alleged that as many as 20,000 noncitizens could be registered to vote and sued to block counting their ballots. The Supreme Court rejected the demand on November 2. State and local officials say they comply with federal law, and election specialists say noncitizen voting seldom occurs and evidence has not shown it alters election results.
Democrats hold a substantial registration advantage, at about 45% of voters compared with 25% for Republicans. But some voters, including independent Richard Hartman outside Sacramento, said they were drawn to Hilton’s call for political balance and his focus on homelessness and affordability. Hilton’s argument is that California needs a new direction, not another experienced Democrat.
Reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer, PBS NewsHour.
