Becerra and Hilton set for California governor general election matchup
Becerra and Hilton advance to California's gubernatorial general election after the primary.
Event / Politics
California Governor Race 2026
Democratic primary results in California's 2026 gubernatorial election, with Xavier Becerra advancing to the general election. The race features high spending and competition between Democrats and Republicans in this major state election.
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2026-08-16 to 2026-11-13 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 3 Jun, 17:05 UTC
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What happened
Steve Hilton leads California gubernatorial primary in early returns
In early returns from the California gubernatorial primary with approximately 10% of precincts reporting, Republican Steve Hilton led with 175,423 votes (29.1%). Hilton is a former Fox News host and Trump endorsee who became a U.S. citizen in 2021 after serving as director of strategy for former UK Prime Minister David Cameron.
Xavier Becerra holds second place in California gubernatorial primary
In early returns of the California gubernatorial primary, Democrat Xavier Becerra, former Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Biden and former California Attorney General, secured second place with 147,263 votes (24.4%) with approximately 10% of precincts reporting.
California gubernatorial primary uses jungle primary system
California's gubernatorial primary election uses a jungle primary system where the top two finishers, regardless of party affiliation, advance to the November general election. This system has shaped the competitive dynamics of the 2026 race with multiple candidates from both parties competing.
California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond runs for governor
Tony Thurmond, California's State Superintendent of Public Instruction, is running for governor. Thurmond has been elected statewide twice (in 2018 and 2022) and previously served in the State Assembly, Richmond City Council, and West Contra Costa School Board.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan campaigns for California governor
Matt Mahan, San Jose mayor since 2023, is running for California governor. The 43-year-old Democrat has received significant campaign funding from the tech community and has highlighted his work reducing street homelessness in San Jose by one-third and addressing crime.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco runs for California governor as Republican
Chad Bianco, sheriff of Riverside County since 2019, is running for California governor as a Republican. Bianco, who has been elected twice to his current position, has positioned himself as an anti-establishment candidate opposed to California's state government policies.
Steve Hilton receives Trump endorsement in California gubernatorial race
Republican Steve Hilton secured an endorsement from President Trump in April 2026, providing a boost to his gubernatorial campaign. The endorsement animated Democratic voters, who have framed the race as a referendum on Trump.
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa runs for California governor
Antonio Villaraigosa, who served as Los Angeles mayor from 2005 to 2013 and previously served in Congress, is running for California governor. Villaraigosa previously ran for governor in 2018 and has been endorsed by current Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
Tom Steyer enters third place in California gubernatorial primary
Progressive billionaire Tom Steyer, who has invested over $200 million of his own wealth in the gubernatorial campaign, placed third with 101,512 votes (16.8%) in early returns with approximately 10% of precincts reporting. Steyer has been advocating for higher taxation of billionaires and reform of Proposition 13's commercial property tax provisions.
California voting proceeds with mail-in ballots causing delays
California's gubernatorial primary voting has concluded with final results expected to take days to be fully tallied. Mail-in voting has caused delays in the counting process, with official results not due to the state until July 3 and certification scheduled for July 10. Governor Newsom previously sent a letter demanding counties speed up their tallies.
California gubernatorial race candidates include former congresswoman Katie Porter
Katie Porter, a former congresswoman from Orange County who served from 2019 to 2025 and law professor at UCI, is running for California governor. She has advocated for addressing California's housing affordability crisis through increased housing construction and criticized both Trump administration policies and California's own policy decisions.
Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton lead California gubernatorial primary
Former Biden Cabinet secretary Xavier Becerra and Fox News commentator Steve Hilton emerged as the leading candidates in the California gubernatorial primary. With approximately half the vote reported, Hilton led with 27% while Becerra trailed closely with 26%. Billionaire Tom Steyer was in third place with 20% of the vote.
Rep. David Valadao advances in more Democratic district
Republican Representative David Valadao advanced to the general election in the Central Valley district that was redrawn by Democrats to be even more Democratic. Valadao is one of two remaining Republican House members who voted to impeach President Trump following the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass advances to gubernatorial general election
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass advanced to the November general election in the California gubernatorial race.
President Trump endorsed Steve Hilton for California governor
President Donald Trump endorsed Steve Hilton, a former Fox News commentator and British political strategist, in his campaign for California governor in April 2026. The endorsement helped Hilton emerge as the leading Republican candidate.
Tom Steyer invested $216 million of personal wealth in gubernatorial campaign
Billionaire businessman Tom Steyer invested $216 million of his own wealth in his California gubernatorial campaign, arguing that he is the only candidate who does not have to rely on special interest groups.
Connie Chan advances as second candidate in race for Nancy Pelosi's House seat
San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan, who was endorsed by House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, advanced to the general election for California's 11th Congressional District with 26,443 votes, placing her in second place in the primary.
Mail ballots can be received up to seven days after California election
Under California state law, mail ballots can be received at local election offices up to seven days after Election Day, as long as they are postmarked on or before Election Day. This contributes to extended counting periods after elections.
Rep. Ken Calvert advances after competing in same district as fellow Republican
Representative Ken Calvert advanced to the general election after competing in a newly redrawn conservative district in Southern California where he was placed with fellow Republican Representative Young Kim. Both Republicans had been battling over their pro-Trump credentials.
Democrat Marni von Wilpert advances in redrawn San Diego-area congressional district
San Diego City Councilwoman Marni von Wilpert advanced to the November general election in a redrawn congressional district that was formerly held by retiring Representative Darrell Issa and became a swing seat. Nine Democrats competed in the district, with von Wilpert securing one of the two top spots.
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2 alternative perspectives
Swalwell suspends California gubernatorial campaign over misconduct allegations
Eric Swalwell withdraws from California governor race after sexual assault allegations surface.
Steyer finishes third in California's competitive gubernatorial primary
Tom Steyer placed third in California's gubernatorial primary despite spending $213 million.
Hilton advances to general election with Trump's backing
Hilton advances to gubernatorial general election carrying Trump's endorsement and criticizing ballot counting delays.
GOP faces steep California headwinds in competitive 2026 governor race
California Republicans confront two decades of electoral losses and state fiscal challenges in 2026 governor race.
Becerra faces mounting scrutiny over pandemic and border response record
Becerra faces pandemic and border crisis scrutiny as general election campaign begins.
Steyer's $213 Million Spend Reshapes California Governor Race Dynamics
Steyer's $213 million spending and Democratic withdrawals reshaped California's gubernatorial campaign field dynamics.
Becerra clinches general election spot, positions himself against Trump
Becerra advances to general election, positions himself against Trump with emergency declarations.
California primary voting relies on mail ballots, jungle primary system
California primary voting relies on jungle primary format and extended mail ballot deadlines.
Diverse Candidates Shape California's 2026 Gubernatorial Field
Hilton leads California's diverse gubernatorial field with Trump's backing.
Democratic mail ballot returns lag in California's primary election
Democratic mail ballot returns trail historical levels in California's primary despite seven-day deadline extension.
California primary produces mixed congressional race outcomes across state
Primary elections advanced diverse congressional candidates across California districts redrawn through voter-approved redistricting.