Xavier Becerra advances to California governor runoff; Hilton and Steyer still locked in fight for second spot

Becerra's late surge

Democrat Xavier Becerra, a former U.S. health secretary and California attorney general, advanced to the November ballot for California governor, the Associated Press projected on Friday. His position was confirmed three days after Tuesday's primary, a delay caused by the state's vote-by-mail system, which allows ballots postmarked by Election Day to arrive afterward and requires signature verification. Becerra's campaign was once an afterthought, with polls as recently as April showing him languishing in single digits in a crowded field of more than 60 candidates.

I am ready to lead the fight to uphold California's promise to make sure we have the governance worthy of our gifts.

Becerra leaned on his more than 35 years in public office, including filing over 120 legal actions against the first Trump administration as attorney general. His rivals scrutinized his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 unaccompanied migrant children crisis, when his Department of Health and Human Services was responsible for shelters criticized for inadequate living conditions.

The fight for second place

California's unusual primary system places all candidates on a single ballot regardless of party, with the top two advancing. With 67% of votes counted by Friday afternoon, Becerra led with 1.68 million votes (26.7%), while Republican Steve Hilton was close behind at 1.66 million (26.4%). Billionaire Democratic activist Tom Steyer held third place with 1.32 million votes (21%), having spent more than $200 million of his own fortune on the race.

The change is coming to California and it should have happened a long time ago.

Hilton, a British-born former Fox News commentator and ex-adviser to former British Prime Minister David Cameron, was endorsed by President Donald Trump in April. Steyer, who funded a populist campaign calling for universal health care and higher taxes on billionaires, has been gaining ground as ballots continue to be counted. An estimated 3.5 million ballots remain uncounted, and results could take weeks.

A fractured Democratic field

The crowded field of more than 20 Democratic candidates fragmented the party's vote. Some of the state's most high-profile Democrats, including former Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, and California Attorney General Rob Bonta, all stayed out of the race. The contest was further disrupted in April when then-U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell dropped out after allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, giving Becerra an unexpected opening to reset his campaign.

General election stakes

The winner in November will lead the nation's most populous state, facing a large deficit, high cost of living, homelessness, and wildfire risk. Incumbent Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, is term-limited and widely thought to be running for president in 2028. Becerra would be the first Latino governor in modern history in a state that is 41% Latino. Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans 45% to 25%, making Becerra the early favorite, but the identity of his opponent will dramatically shape the campaign. A Becerra-Hilton race would be expected to favor the Democrat in deep-blue California, while a Becerra-Steyer matchup could be highly competitive and costly.

The people of the great state of California, in the greatest nation on earth, have spoken -- loudly and proudly. We will not be bought. We will not be bullied. And we are never backing down. November, here we come.