Hilton and Becerra Lead in Early California Governor Primary Returns

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra led in unofficial early returns Wednesday morning in the California gubernatorial primary and appeared positioned to advance to the November general election to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Hilton, a former British political strategist, conservative commentator and one-time Fox News Channel host who received an endorsement from President Donald Trump, and Becerra, a former California attorney general and Cabinet secretary in the Biden administration, held the top two spots as additional ballots continued to be counted. Results had not been certified.

Hilton told supporters at his primary night event in Orange County that change was coming to California. In an interview after the event, he said his campaign emphasized straightforward statements to voters and pledged to reduce costs for residents.

Becerra told his supporters that the campaign outcome represented more than a personal milestone and reflected the character of the state. If elected, Becerra would become the first Latino governor of California since Romualdo Pacheco in 1875.

California uses a primary system in which candidates from all parties appear on a single ballot, and the two candidates receiving the most votes advance to the general election regardless of party.

Billionaire environmental activist Tom Steyer, who spent more than $200 million of his own funds in the race after an unsuccessful 2020 presidential bid, placed third as mail and provisional ballots remained to be counted. Outside spending on the race exceeded $80 million.

Other candidates included Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican; former Rep. Katie Porter; San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan; former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; and state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. A total of 61 candidates appeared on the ballot.

Hilton would be the first Republican elected governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 2006 reelection if he wins in November. During his remarks, Hilton displayed the lining of his blazer featuring American and California flags, noting that Schwarzenegger had encouraged him to wear it.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris and Sen. Alex Padilla considered Democratic candidacies but declined to run, leaving no clear frontrunner for the first time in more than 25 years. The race received less attention for much of the prior year amid coverage of Los Angeles-area wildfires and federal immigration enforcement actions in the state.

The contest gained renewed focus earlier in the year after Rep. Eric Swalwell withdrew and resigned from Congress following multiple allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, which he has denied. Swalwell’s departure allowed Steyer and then Becerra to gain ground in polling.

Bianco, who entered the race in April of the previous year, had been among the leading contenders until Trump endorsed Hilton in early April.

Hilton and Becerra participated in multiple debates with other candidates, including events in Claremont and San Francisco in April 2026. The primary was held June 2, 2026.

Paul Steinhauser is a politics reporter.