Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, a Democrat, will advance to the November election in the California governor's race, according to projections by CBS News. A second candidate has not yet been projected to advance. The race to replace term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom remained competitive, with Republican candidate Steve Hilton leading until recent ballot counts allowed Becerra to take the top position.
Hilton and Democratic billionaire Tom Steyer are now competing closely for the second spot in the general election, with Steyer gaining ground in the latest returns. California's elections operate under a top-two primary system, where the two candidates with the most votes will face off in November.
Becerra, a former California attorney general, acknowledged his advancement in the race through a social media post, emphasizing the importance of California's values. He stated, "More than ever, California needs our voices and our values. To the people and the voters of California, this is your state. Este es tu estado. We will not be bought. We will not be bullied. And we are never backing down."
Becerra's campaign gained momentum following the exit of former Rep. Eric Swalwell in April. As ballots were counted, he presented himself as an underdog who persevered. The vote-counting process has faced criticism from some Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, who questioned the pace of counting without evidence of wrongdoing. Hilton criticized the process during a press conference, stating he would ensure all votes are counted within 48 hours of the mail-in deadline if elected.
State and local election officials defended the counting process, affirming that all ballots undergo the same verification requirements. The governor's race has attracted a diverse array of candidates, reflecting what many consider one of the state's most competitive open-seat contests in years. Pre-election polling indicated no candidate had a clear lead, with many voters remaining undecided.
Several notable candidates, including former Orange County Rep. Katie Porter and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, ended their campaigns shortly after polls closed. The affordability crisis in California has been a significant issue throughout the campaign, with a recent CBS News poll revealing that 70% of registered voters described the cost of living as "unmanageable," and only 7% believing the "California Dream" is still attainable.
