California Governor Primary Too Close to Call as Becerra and Hilton Lead

The primary election for California governor remains too close to call as vote counting continues Wednesday. Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican business executive Steve Hilton lead the field, with Democrat Tom Steyer in third place.

In California's unusual primary system, all candidates appear on a single ballot, and the top two finishers advance to the general election regardless of party. This year, voters had 60 names to choose from.

The winner will lead the country's most populous state, a position that often carries national political prominence. Gavin Newsom is term-limited and could be a Democratic contender for president.

Becerra, former Health and Human Services secretary under President Joe Biden, pitched himself as an experienced leader unafraid of President Trump. His lead caps a dramatic comeback; as recently as April, polls showed him in single digits.

At his watch party in Los Angeles, Becerra noted his underdog status, drawing parallels to his immigrant parents' success story. Hilton, a former Fox News commentator and adviser to former British Prime Minister David Cameron, was endorsed by President Trump in April, helping him pull ahead of Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.

At his watch party in Huntington Beach, Hilton said it was the "honor of his lifetime" to receive over 1 million votes and declared, "Change is coming to California." Democratic billionaire activist Steyer spent more than $213 million of his own money on a progressive, populist message. He remains confident he can close the gap as ballots continue to be counted.

The race was disrupted in April when then-U.S. Rep.

Eric Swalwell's campaign imploded amid allegations of sexual assault and harassment. Swalwell resigned from Congress and has denied the allegations.

His exit seemed to primarily benefit Becerra. The uncertainty on election night capped a crowded and unsettled race, with some high-profile Democrats—including former Vice President Kamala Harris—choosing not to run.