Politics · United States · 2 hrs ago
Xavier Becerra elected California governor, defeating Steve Hilton
Democrat Xavier Becerra won California’s governor’s race, NBC News projects, defeating Republican Steve Hilton.
Becerra, a former U.S. health and human services secretary, will serve a four-year term.
He succeeds Gavin Newsom, who is barred by term limits from seeking another term as governor.
California has not elected a Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006.
Becerra campaigned on resisting the Trump administration and on lowering health costs and addressing the state’s housing shortage.
He also proposed regulating artificial intelligence and investing in disaster preparation.
His victory keeps the governorship in Democratic hands in the country’s largest state.
Democrat Xavier Becerra was elected California governor, NBC News projected, defeating Trump-backed Republican Steve Hilton.
Becerra will serve a four-year term and succeed term-limited Democrat Gavin Newsom.
California has not elected a Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006.
Becerra campaigned on opposing the Trump administration and focused on issues including health care costs, housing and clean energy.
Hilton criticized Becerra’s record in government and challenged his plans and policies.
- Who
- Xavier Becerra, a Democrat, defeated Republican Steve Hilton.
- What
- Becerra was elected governor of California, NBC News projected.
- When
- The projection was reported on Nov. 4, 2026.
- Where
- California.
- Why
- Becerra campaigned on opposing the Trump administration and cited his government experience; Hilton criticized his record. The sources do not state why voters chose Becerra.
Xavier Becerra
Steve Hilton
Trump administration
Xavier Becerra
Becerra said California should protect the state against the Trump administration and its policies.
Steve Hilton
Hilton was backed by Trump and criticized Becerra’s record; the sources do not give Hilton’s view on this specific argument.
Becerra’s record
Xavier Becerra
Becerra cited his experience in government and as California attorney general as reasons to elect him.
Steve Hilton
Hilton said Becerra’s work in those roles had not helped resolve California’s problems.
Tax policies
Xavier Becerra
Becerra criticized Hilton’s tax plans, saying they relied on Trump tax policies.
Steve Hilton
Hilton promoted tax plans; the sources do not provide further detail on his response to Becerra’s criticism.
Trump endorsed Hilton in the governor’s race.
Eric Swalwell dropped out of the race amid sexual assault and misconduct allegations, which he denied.
Becerra and Hilton advanced from the all-party primary to the general election.
Becerra criticized Hilton’s tax plans during a CNN gubernatorial debate.
NBC News projected Becerra as the winner of the California governor’s race.
- Winner
- Xavier Becerra
- Opponent
- Steve Hilton
- Term
- Four years
- Predecessor
- Gavin Newsom
- Last Republican governor elected
- Arnold Schwarzenegger, 2006
- Becerra’s lawsuits against Trump
- 122, according to Becerra’s campaign website
3 sources
What people are saying
As Governor of California, I vow to protect and lead our state against Trump and his attacks.
I am that fighter, and have a proven record facing and winning against Donald Trump, having sued him 122 times in fact as California’s Attorney General.
What I wouldn’t do, Steve, is try to convince the people of California that proposing Trump tax policies, promising Trump tax cuts, believing you’re going to get better results than Trump has gotten so far to date, that that is what — isn’t it the definition of insanity you do the same thing over and over again expecting different results?