Xavier Becerra Becomes California’s New Governor

Democrat Xavier Becerra emerged victorious over Republican Steve Hilton to become the new governor of California. Despite a campaign that did not inspire many voters, the Associated Press declared him the winner as soon as the polls closed. The AP stated that a winner would only be declared at closing time in races where an overwhelming victory was expected.

At an election event in Los Angeles, Becerra appeared alongside California Governor Gavin Newsom two days before the election. On election day, Becerra and his wife, Dr. Carolina Reyes, cast their votes in Sacramento. Becerra is set to succeed Newsom and take office in January.

Two months before the June primary, Becerra lagged behind, ranking sixth in the polls. His extensive experience, including roles as California attorney general, a congressman, and Biden’s health secretary, was impressive but lacked excitement among voters. However, Becerra’s candidacy gained momentum following the collapse of the campaign of Eric Swalwell, who faced allegations of sexual assault.

After Swalwell’s withdrawal, Becerra engaged in a direct contest with billionaire Tom Steyer, spending over $200 million on his campaign. Nevertheless, Becerra’s steady approach and broad Democratic support led him to succeed.

Becerra’s record as California attorney general, especially his legal battles against Trump’s administration, cemented his position among Democratic voters. As Election Day approached, he significantly outpaced Hilton, benefiting from a substantial Democratic voter registration advantage of 45% to Republicans’ 25%.

Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host, faced a challenging campaign in heavily Democratic California. Despite President Trump’s endorsement and several policy proposals, Hilton struggled to make significant headway. His efforts focused on issues like affordable gas prices and tax cuts, but failed to sway the electorate.

In his closing message, Hilton highlighted California’s attractiveness but criticized the state’s government for people leaving California. His campaign promoted a vision of addressing the state’s economic and regulatory challenges.

Becerra focused his campaign on housing, healthcare, and federal immigration enforcement. He positioned this as a direct response to Trump’s presidency, associating Hilton with the former president. Becerra faced critics from his past role at the health department but managed to sustain support among Democratic voters.

Becerra’s unexpected rise comes amidst challenges like high housing costs, homelessness, and a budget deficit. In a recent poll, economic issues were the primary concern for California voters, with a significant portion considering leaving the state.

As incoming governor, Becerra aims to expedite building permits, leverage public lands, and enforce housing laws. On healthcare, he plans to advance towards universal coverage and protect existing healthcare programs from federal cuts.

Becerra will begin his tenure as governor on January 4, 2027.