Becerra Wins California Governor’s Race as Hilton Concedes
On November 4, Democrat Xavier Becerra had won California’s governor’s race, while Republican Steve Hilton’s support stood at about 36% as of Wednesday afternoon. Hilton conceded on election night, after the Associated Press called the race for Becerra minutes after polls closed at 8 p.m. the previous evening.
Hilton addressed supporters at a California Republican Party gathering in Garden Grove. He pointed to the broader election results, saying, “Maybe this isn’t the best year to be running for office as a Republican.” Democrats were making major gains nationally, with the party on course for large wins in the House and Senate.
Hilton had tried to distinguish himself from President Donald Trump, who endorsed him, and criticized Becerra for keeping a low profile after emerging from a crowded primary. His campaign also promoted tax cuts, deregulation, crime crackdowns and lower gas prices. But California has roughly twice as many registered Democrats as Republicans, and the state remained in Democratic hands. A party spokesperson said Republicans planned to intensify their efforts ahead of 2028.
California Voters Reject Hilton as Democrats Sweep to Victory
California voters chose Democrat Xavier Becerra over Republican Steve Hilton, delivering another statewide win for Democrats as the party made major gains nationally. Hilton’s support stood at about 36% on Wednesday afternoon, and he conceded on election night after the Associated Press called the race.
Hilton’s campaign offered tax cuts, deregulation, crime crackdowns and lower gas prices, while he tried to distance himself from President Donald Trump, who endorsed him. Those appeals did not change the result in a state with roughly twice as many registered Democrats as Republicans.
At a Republican gathering in Garden Grove, Hilton acknowledged the unfavorable national climate, telling supporters, “Maybe this isn’t the best year to be running for office as a Republican.” Democrats were on course for major wins in the House and Senate, reinforcing the scale of the party’s success. A California GOP spokesperson said the party would step up its fight for 2028.
California Remains Blue as Hilton Falls Short Against Becerra
California stayed in Democratic hands as Xavier Becerra defeated Republican Steve Hilton, whose support stood at about 36% on Wednesday afternoon. The result came as Democrats made major gains nationally, with the party on course for significant wins in the House and Senate.
Hilton knew he faced long odds in a state with roughly twice as many registered Democrats as Republicans. He promoted tax cuts, deregulation, crime crackdowns and lower gas prices, and tried to separate his campaign from President Donald Trump, who had endorsed him. Those efforts were not enough to overcome the state’s political balance.
At the California Republican Party’s election-night gathering in Garden Grove, Hilton conceded after the Associated Press called the race. “Maybe this isn’t the best year to be running for office as a Republican,” he told supporters, pointing to results around the country. A party spokesperson said California Republicans planned to bring a more intense fight in 2028.
Reported by PJ Media, LAist, New York Post.
