Becerra Leads California Governor Primary; Haaland Wins New Mexico Nomination

California voters headed to the polls Tuesday in a governor primary that highlights the challenges facing the nation's most populous state after years of one-party rule. The race to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom has tightened into a contest among Democrat Xavier Becerra, billionaire Tom Steyer, and Republican Steve Hilton, according to multiple polls. The top two finishers advance to November regardless of party.

The contest unfolded without major celebrities or national figures, a departure from past California campaigns. A scandal in April disrupted early momentum and forced candidates to reset their efforts. Many voters held ballots until the final days, adding uncertainty to results that historically take days or weeks to finalize in the state. Polls closed at 8 p.m. local time.

Becerra, who served as state attorney general and later as health secretary, and Steyer, known for climate advocacy, lead among Democrats in the blue stronghold. Hilton, a former Fox News host, represents the main Republican option in a state that has trended heavily Democratic for decades. The winner will inherit problems that have persisted under Democratic leadership, including widespread homelessness, housing shortages, and recurring threats from wildfires and drought.

California has positioned itself as a counterweight to federal policies under President Donald Trump, particularly on immigration and redistricting. Yet the next governor will confront the practical effects of those state-level decisions, such as strained budgets and public safety concerns that polls show rank high among voters.

In a separate contest the same day, former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland secured the Democratic nomination for New Mexico governor. She defeated prosecutor Sam Bregman and enters the general election as the favorite in the blue-leaning state. Haaland, a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, would become the first Native American woman governor if elected in November. The state has used its oil and gas revenues to fund expansive programs including universal child care, health coverage expansions, school lunches, and free college tuition.

New Mexico ranks among the poorer states despite those resources, and the next governor will manage the balance between fossil fuel production and the safety-net initiatives already in place. The state has alternated parties in recent decades but has moved toward Democrats in recent cycles.

Both races reflect efforts by Democratic figures to extend influence in states long aligned with the party. Hilton's presence in California offers the clearest alternative in a contest otherwise dominated by familiar names from the current administration and activist circles. Turnout and final vote tallies will determine whether voters signal any shift in direction amid the documented difficulties in housing, energy, and public order.