Becerra Wins California Governor’s Race, Defeating Hilton

Xavier Becerra will become California’s next governor after defeating Republican Steve Hilton in the Nov. 3 election. Becerra, a Democrat and former U.S. health and human services secretary, will succeed Gavin Newsom, who could not seek another consecutive term.

California Chooses Becerra to Stand Up to Trump

California voters chose Xavier Becerra as their next governor, rejecting Republican Steve Hilton, who had President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Becerra will take office in January 2027, succeeding term-limited Democrat Gavin Newsom.

Becerra made opposition to Trump a central theme of his campaign, pointing to his record of suing the president’s administration 122 times while serving as California attorney general. He warned that the state should defend healthcare access, affordable housing, fair wages and protections for immigrants and marginalized communities when federal policies put them at risk.

The Democrat also campaigned on lowering healthcare costs, building more homes and expanding access to coverage. He has proposed speeding up housing construction, expanding childcare assistance and strengthening Medi-Cal.

Hilton argued that Democratic leadership had contributed to California’s high costs and other problems, proposing tax and spending cuts and fewer regulations. But voters chose Becerra’s approach of using state programs and enforcement rather than Hilton’s call for a smaller government.

Becerra, a former congressman and Biden Cabinet secretary, will inherit persistent housing costs, homelessness, energy costs and budget deficits. His victory keeps the governorship in Democratic hands, as the state prepares for a new administration to take office in January.

California Keeps Democrats in Power Despite Cost Concerns

California elected Xavier Becerra governor, turning aside Republican Steve Hilton’s challenge despite voters’ concerns about affordability and the state’s direction. Becerra will succeed term-limited Gavin Newsom in January 2027, continuing Democratic control of the governor’s office.

Hilton made the cost of living, homelessness and years of Democratic rule central to his campaign. He called for lower taxes and government outlays, fewer regulatory and climate-related requirements, and increased energy output to bring down housing, electricity and gasoline costs. President Donald Trump endorsed him.

Becerra advocated relying more heavily on government initiatives and oversight. His proposals included accelerating home construction, expanding childcare assistance, strengthening Medi-Cal and pursuing landlords he accused of price gouging. He also emphasized his record challenging Trump’s first administration as attorney general.

Democrats substantially outnumber Republicans among California voters, and the state has not elected a Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 2006 reelection. Hilton argued that frustration with the state’s problems could overcome that advantage, but Becerra prevailed.

The incoming governor faces persistent affordability pressures, a homelessness crisis and looming deficits in the state budget. His victory leaves California under Democratic leadership, while the competing campaigns offered sharply different answers to whether state government should be cut back or used more actively to address those challenges.