Hilton Concedes California Governor’s Race to Becerra
Steve Hilton conceded California’s gubernatorial race to Xavier Becerra on November 3, after the contest was projected for the Democrat. Hilton spoke to supporters in Garden Grove and wished Becerra well, while also looking ahead to the next election for governor.
Hilton told the crowd he expected a Republican to win the governorship in 2030 and urged Becerra to enjoy his victory while it lasted. He said he wanted California to be governed properly, despite the result not being the one his supporters had hoped for.
By November 4, 2026, Becerra led Hilton 64% to 36%, with 59% of votes counted. Becerra had held a wide polling advantage for much of the campaign. California Republicans have not won the governor’s race since 2006.
Becerra celebrated after emerging from a crowded Democratic primary field. In his victory speech, he described his upbringing as shaped by immigrant parents and a family tied to organized labor and said the past two years had brought higher prices, wars, corruption and lawlessness. He said supporters had fought back through difficult circumstances.
Becerra, a former Biden administration official and the state’s first Latino governor in about 150 years, will succeed Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is expected to leave office in January. Democrats also won statewide offices and several closely contested House seats in California, while winning control of both chambers of Congress nationwide.
Becerra’s Win Gives Democrats a California Sweep and National Momentum
California voters chose Democrat Xavier Becerra over Republican Steve Hilton on November 3, delivering another major victory for Democrats as the party also swept statewide offices and captured several critical House seats in the state. Democrats won the House and Senate nationwide.
Hilton conceded in Garden Grove, where he told supporters to look toward 2030 and predicted a Republican would then win the governorship. He wished Becerra well and said he wanted California governed properly, but his promise underscored the long road ahead for a party that has not won the governor’s race since 2006.
Becerra led 64% to 36% with 59% of the vote counted by November 4, 2026. He had maintained a wide polling lead through much of the campaign and prevailed after a crowded Democratic field.
In his victory remarks, Becerra spoke of his family’s immigrant and union roots and acknowledged that the past two years had been difficult, citing higher prices, wars, corruption and lawlessness. He said supporters had persevered and fought back. His win makes him California’s first Latino governor in about 150 years.
Becerra, a former Biden administration official, is set to take over from Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom when Newsom leaves office in January. The result puts a Democrat in the governor’s office and adds to the party’s gains in California and across Congress.
Hilton Concedes, Vows California Republicans Will Fight for 2030
Steve Hilton conceded California’s governor’s race to Democrat Xavier Becerra on November 3, but delivered a promise to supporters in Garden Grove: Republicans would seek to elect a governor in 2030. His message offered a long-term goal to a party facing another defeat in a state it has not won statewide since 2006.
Hilton told Becerra to enjoy the victory while it lasted. He also wished his rival well and said Californians wanted their state governed properly, even though Becerra was not the candidate his supporters wanted.
The scale of the loss was clear by November 4, 2026, when Becerra led 64% to 36% with 59% of the vote counted. The Democrat had carried a wide polling advantage during much of the race and came through a crowded field to win the nomination and the general election.
Becerra’s victory speech acknowledged pressures facing Californians. He cited higher prices, wars, corruption and lawlessness over the past two years, saying his supporters had hung in and fought back. Becerra, a former Biden administration official, is set to become California’s first Latino governor in about 150 years.
Democrats also won statewide offices and several critical House seats in California, while winning control of both chambers of Congress nationwide. Becerra will succeed Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom when Newsom leaves office in January.
Reported by CBS Los Angeles, New York Post.
