Xavier Becerra Wins California Governor’s Race, Will Be First Latino Governor Since 1875

Xavier Becerra, a Democrat and former U.S. health and human services secretary, won California’s open governor’s race Tuesday, defeating Republican Steve Hilton and becoming the state’s first Latino governor in more than a century, according to The Associated Press and California election results. In the nation’s most populous state, the governorship is one of the country’s most influential statewide offices because of California’s size, economy and policy reach.

Unofficial returns posted by the California Secretary of State showed Becerra with 6,773,781 votes, or about 65.5%, to 3,575,025 votes, or about 34.5%, for Hilton. The margin was decisive, though the totals remain unofficial until the state completes its canvass and certifies the election by Dec. 11.

The race was for an open seat because Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom could not run again under California’s two-term limit. That made the contest the latest test of whether Democrats could maintain their hold on the governorship in a state where they dominate statewide office, while also carrying a historic milestone in a state with a large Latino population.

Becerra brought a long resume in California and national politics. Before running for governor, he served as U.S. health and human services secretary, California attorney general and a longtime member of Congress. Hilton, his Republican opponent, is a former Fox News host and a former adviser to British Prime Minister David Cameron who ran as an outsider promising change.

The two advanced from California’s June 2 top-two primary, in which all candidates appeared on the same ballot and the top two vote-getters moved on to November regardless of party. Becerra received 2,591,857 votes, or 28.0%, in that contest, while Hilton received 2,277,318 votes, or 24.6%.

AP and other news outlets reported that Becerra will be California’s first Latino governor since Romualdo Pacheco, who served in 1875. The result is both a Democratic hold in an open-seat race and a representation milestone in a state where Latinos make up a large share of the population.

In victory remarks reported by AP, Becerra said, “If anyone wants to come after California or any one Californian, they better be ready for a fight.” Hilton, conceding defeat, said “the change we hoped for may be delayed, but the change is coming.” Under California law, the new gubernatorial term begins on the Monday after Jan. 1 following the election, meaning Becerra is set to take office Jan. 4, 2027.