California Votes in Most Uncertain Governor’s Primary in Years

California voters went to the polls Tuesday to advance two candidates for governor to the November general election, capping a primary campaign marked by Democratic indecision and a crowded field. The race to succeed term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom is the most unsettled in recent memory, with voters facing a backdrop of high costs, wildfires, and federal uncertainty.

Democratic former state Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who has pledged to fight the Trump administration and freeze insurance and utility rates, led in opinion polls with about a quarter of likely voter support. He is favored by much of the state’s Democratic establishment and appeared likely to secure one of the top two spots.

Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host endorsed by Donald Trump, was polling in second place. He has vowed to cut income taxes and slash environmental regulations, consolidating support from conservatives.

However, billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer, a progressive Democrat who has self-funded his campaign with $213 million, remained in a tight battle with Hilton for second place.

A series of late polls showed Becerra ahead, with Steyer and Hilton locked in a close contest. Votes could take days or weeks to tally, and strategists noted that lingering Democratic uncertainty led some voters to wait to back the apparent front-runner.

“Those polls could become self-fulfilling,” said Democratic strategist Paul Mitchell.

The primary is the marquee contest on Tuesday’s ballot. The seat is considered a shoo-in for Democrats in November, given the party’s nearly 2-to-1 voter registration advantage over Republicans.

The race has national importance for the Democratic Party’s pushback against the Trump administration.

Unlike past California elections dominated by movie stars and dynasties, no major Democratic names entered the race, leading to a crowded field. The state Democratic Party pressured lower-polling candidates to drop out, but most stayed.

When Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell dropped out amid sexual assault allegations, Becerra gained many of his donors and supporters, surging in the polls.

Steyer spent $200 million on ads to boost name recognition and consolidated the party’s left flank. Progressive Katie Porter fell behind, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan rose from single digits but not enough.

Trump’s endorsement of Hilton helped him pull away from fellow Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, reducing the chance both Republicans would finish in the top two.

If Hilton advances, he faces long odds against a Democrat. Both he and Steyer have portrayed Becerra as a symbol of the status quo, with affordability dominating the race.

Hilton wants to end 16 years of “one-party rule” under Democrats, slashing spending and reversing liberal policies. “After 16 years of everything being in one direction, that’s left a lot of people dissatisfied,” he said.

Voters expressed varied reasons for their choices. Nancy LeVesque, a retired salesperson from Roseville, admired Hilton as an outsider.

Tina Varnado, a South Sacramento caretaker, was drawn to Steyer’s promises to lower costs. Evan Cragin of the California Young Democrats backed Becerra for his government experience to push back on federal “abuses.”

Becerra dismissed his opponents’ promises, pointing to past accomplishments like the Affordable Care Act and defending DACA. “You can have all these great inflated promises,” he said. “Getting things done is not easy.”