Republican Steve Hilton Advances in California Governor’s Race

Voters will decide between Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton in November.

Steve Hilton speaks during a gubernatorial candidate forum in Sacramento, Calif., on April 14, 2026. AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez

SACRAMENTO—Republican Steve Hilton secured enough votes in the race for California governor to advance to the general election in November, setting up a partisan battle with Democrat Xavier Becerra.

The Associated Press called Hilton’s advancement on June 9, a week after the primaries. Hilton held 24.9 percent to Becerra’s 27.9 percent, with 88 percent of the votes counted.