California Elects Biden-Era Official to Replace Newsom

Clear Facts

• Democrat Xavier Becerra defeated Republican Steve Hilton 65% to 34% to become California’s next governor.
• Becerra previously served as Health and Human Services Secretary under former President Joe Biden and as California attorney general.
• Outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom was barred from seeking re-election due to term limits, leaving the seat open.

California voters chose former Biden cabinet member Xavier Becerra to lead the state. The former attorney general and Health and Human Services Secretary defeated Republican Steve Hilton by a wide margin.

Becerra secured 65 percent of the vote to Hilton’s 34 percent after 54 percent of ballots were counted. Decision Desk HQ called the race for Becerra just after 11 p.m. Eastern Time.

Governor Gavin Newsom could not run again because of term limits. The field that began with more than sixty candidates narrowed quickly when prominent Democrats declined to participate.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris, Senator Alex Padilla, and Attorney General Rob Bonta all stayed out of the contest. This left a crowded field of lesser-known candidates to compete.

Becerra rose to the top after former Representative Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign amid multiple accusations of inappropriate sexual behavior. Swalwell later resigned from Congress and continues to face investigations.

Becerra campaigned on affordability and health care. He blamed inflation and higher gas prices on the war in Iran. Polls before Election Day showed him leading by twenty-five points.

Trump-endorsed Steve Hilton offered a different message. He argued Becerra’s policies would continue the problems driving voter frustration and pledged to end the state’s homeless crisis.

“I’m a pragmatic problem solving change-maker,” Hilton said in July. “We may not agree about national politics, but I think we can agree we need change in California. So many people are desperate to see that.”

Despite Hilton’s message, voters chose Becerra on Tuesday.

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