Sacramento, California — Republican candidate and former television host Steve Hilton has secured a place in California’s 2026 gubernatorial general election, setting up a high-profile contest against Democrat Xavier Becerra, according to projections following a tightly contested all-party primary.
The race now heads into its final phase after weeks of ballot counting in one of the nation’s most closely watched state elections.
Close Primary Battle in a Divided Field
California’s “top-two” primary system placed all candidates on a single ballot, with the two highest vote-getters advancing to the general election regardless of party affiliation.
With the majority of ballots counted, Becerra led the field with roughly 28% support, while Hilton followed closely with about 25%. Billionaire philanthropist Tom Steyer placed third with approximately 23%, and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco trailed behind in fourth.
The outcome reflects a highly fragmented electorate, with no single candidate dominating the race during the primary stage.
Slow Vote Count and Mail-In Ballot Delays
California’s vote-counting process has stretched over several days due to the state’s heavy reliance on mail-in ballots. Officials continue processing ballots postmarked by Election Day and received within the legal counting window.
The extended timeline has fueled political debate and unverified claims of election irregularities from some national figures, including former President Donald Trump and allied commentators.
Election officials, however, maintain that the process follows established state election law designed to ensure maximum voter participation.
General Election Dynamics Favor Democrats
Hilton now enters the November general election facing an uphill battle in a state where Democrats maintain a significant voter registration advantage over Republicans.
California has not elected a Republican governor in two decades, and Democratic dominance was further underscored in the 2024 presidential election, where the state strongly favored Democratic candidates.
Political observers note that Hilton’s ability to consolidate Republican support was strengthened after a public endorsement from Trump earlier in the campaign season.
Shifting Democratic Field After Key Dropout
The race was reshaped after the exit of former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell, who suspended his campaign following controversy and allegations he has denied.
His departure helped consolidate support behind Becerra, who had previously struggled in lower polling tiers but gained momentum in the final weeks leading up to the primary.
Meanwhile, businessman Tom Steyer invested heavily in his campaign but failed to translate his substantial spending into sufficient voter support to advance.
Policy Clash Already Taking Shape
Even before the general election campaign begins in full, Hilton and Becerra have exchanged sharp criticism during debates and public appearances.
Hilton has argued that decades of Democratic leadership have contributed to California’s major policy challenges, pointing to long-term governance under the party.
Becerra, in turn, has criticized Hilton’s lack of traditional government experience, questioning his readiness to manage the state’s complex budget and policy demands.
What Comes Next
With both candidates now locked in for November, the general election is expected to center on issues including cost of living, housing, public safety, and state economic policy.
Political analysts view the race as a major test of whether Republican messaging can gain traction in a deeply Democratic-leaning state, or whether Democrats will maintain their long-standing control of the governor’s office.
