Democrat Xavier Becerra won California’s governor’s race, defeating Republican Steve Hilton, according to The Associated Press.
AP called the race when polls closed at 8 p.m. PST Tuesday, Nov. 3. Becerra will succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.
As of AP’s 7:20 a.m. PST update Nov. 4, Becerra had 4,982,430 votes, or 64.0%, compared with Hilton’s 2,804,925 votes, or 36.0%. AP estimated that 59% of votes had been counted.
AP has declared Becerra the winner. Vote totals remain unofficial and may change as additional ballots are counted.
Becerra will become California’s first directly elected Latino governor, the Los Angeles Times reported.
California governor results
The following figures appeared in AP’s 7:20 a.m. PST update Nov. 4:
Candidate | Party | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
Xavier Becerra — AP winner | Democratic | 4,982,430 | 64.0% |
Steve Hilton | Republican | 2,804,925 | 36.0% |
Total | 7,787,355 | 100.0% |
Becerra led Hilton by 2,177,505 votes in that update. AP’s estimated share of votes counted is not a precinct reporting percentage.
The candidates
Becerra is a former California attorney general and served as U.S. secretary of health and human services under President Joe Biden, according to AP’s race guide. He previously served a dozen terms in Congress representing Los Angeles, according to CalMatters.
His campaign priorities included health care, affordable housing, disaster preparedness and opposing the Trump administration, according to KTVU’s candidate guide.
Hilton is a former Fox News commentator and adviser to former British Prime Minister David Cameron. He had not held elected office before running for governor, KTVU reported.
His campaign pledges included lowering gasoline prices to $3 per gallon and abolishing the Department of Motor Vehicles. President Donald Trump endorsed Hilton, according to CalMatters.
What comes next
The next administration will face decisions affecting communities across California, including housing affordability, health care and disaster preparedness.
The candidates’ proposals were campaign commitments. Putting them into effect would require further government action, and some would need legislative approval.
Voters also considered 14 statewide propositions addressing issues including housing, education, health care, taxes and election rules, according to the Secretary of State’s official voter guide.
How to track results
Readers can follow additional returns through AP’s California governor results tracker and the California Secretary of State’s election results website.
Mail ballots postmarked by Nov. 3 can be counted if received by county election officials by Nov. 10, according to state ballot-return guidance.
AP’s race call is separate from the official canvassing and certification process. The Secretary of State will post official certified results by Dec. 11, according to the state’s voter information guide.
This article will be updated as additional totals become available.
