Blab Politics
Steve Hilton Advances to California Governors General Election, Facing Xavier Becerra
In a headline‑making June 2 top‑two primary, California’s nonpartisan system left voters with a clear contest between former UK adviser Steve Hilton and seasoned Democrat Xavier Becerra.
The Secretary of State’s office reported that Becerra captured 29% of the vote, while Hilton earned 26%. Billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer, who poured more than $215 million into his campaign, finished third with 18%. The totals were confirmed by the California Secretary of State’s office and reported by ABC7 Los Angeles.
Hilton, a British‑born American who served as an adviser to UK Prime Minister David Cameron from 2010 to 2012, launched his gubernatorial bid in 2025. A co‑founder of the crowdfunding platform Crowdpac, he stepped down as its CEO in 2018. His campaign website highlights “out‑of‑the‑box” solutions for California’s housing, tax, and infrastructure challenges. In a Fox News interview, Hilton said he was “not a politician” and wanted to bring a new direction to the state.
Becerra, a California native, served as the state’s attorney general from 2017 to 2021 and as a U.S. Representative from 1993 to 2017. He was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to replace Kamala Harris in 2017 and later served as the 25th U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services from 2021 to 2025. His campaign stresses his experience in public service and his commitment to addressing California’s housing crisis, climate change, and public health.
The primary was marked by intense spending. According to a BBC report, the contest has become the most expensive California gubernatorial race on record, with significant ad dollars from Steyer’s Silicon Valley supporters and other Democratic donors.
Trump’s endorsement of Hilton has drawn attention. The former president, who is down 33 points in California’s statewide polls, publicly endorsed Hilton and has repeatedly claimed widespread voter fraud in the state. In a Truth Social post a day before the primary, Trump warned that “two great Republican candidates are being cheated” and urged observers to watch the election closely. Trump also sent a Department of Justice prosecutor to observe ballot counting in Los Angeles.
Becerra has cautioned against interference in California’s election system. While he has not directly criticized Hilton’s endorsement, he has emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the state’s voting process.
If Hilton wins, he would become California’s first Republican governor since 2006, potentially reshaping the state’s policy agenda on taxes, regulation, and public spending. Becerra’s victory would continue the Democratic hold on the governorship and likely reinforce the state’s progressive policy trajectory.
The November 3 runoff will feature only the two candidates who advanced from the primary. California’s governor is term‑limited, so incumbent Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom is ineligible to seek a third term. The state’s political landscape, characterized by a diverse electorate and a history of competitive races, will be closely watched by national observers.
As the campaign season progresses, both candidates are expected to intensify outreach in key regions. Hilton’s campaign has focused on rural and suburban areas, while Becerra’s has targeted urban centers and the Bay Area. The race’s high profile and the presence of a Trump endorsement will likely influence voter turnout and media coverage.
The next steps for the campaign include fundraising, policy debates, and voter registration drives. Both campaigns have announced plans to hold town‑hall meetings and televised debates in the weeks leading up to the general election. The California Secretary of State’s office will release the official November 3 election results on election night.
In summary, the June 2 primary has set the stage for a high‑stakes gubernatorial contest. Steve Hilton’s second‑place finish and Donald Trump’s endorsement have positioned him as a formidable challenger to Xavier Becerra, who has a long record of public service. The November 3 runoff will determine whether California returns to Republican leadership or continues its Democratic trajectory.
The Secretary of State’s office reported that Becerra captured 29% of the vote, while Hilton earned 26%. Billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer, who poured more than $215 million into his campaign, finished third with 18%. The totals were confirmed by the California Secretary of State’s office and reported by ABC7 Los Angeles.
Hilton, a British‑born American who served as an adviser to UK Prime Minister David Cameron from 2010 to 2012, launched his gubernatorial bid in 2025. A co‑founder of the crowdfunding platform Crowdpac, he stepped down as its CEO in 2018. His campaign website highlights “out‑of‑the‑box” solutions for California’s housing, tax, and infrastructure challenges. In a Fox News interview, Hilton said he was “not a politician” and wanted to bring a new direction to the state.
Becerra, a California native, served as the state’s attorney general from 2017 to 2021 and as a U.S. Representative from 1993 to 2017. He was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to replace Kamala Harris in 2017 and later served as the 25th U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services from 2021 to 2025. His campaign stresses his experience in public service and his commitment to addressing California’s housing crisis, climate change, and public health.
The primary was marked by intense spending. According to a BBC report, the contest has become the most expensive California gubernatorial race on record, with significant ad dollars from Steyer’s Silicon Valley supporters and other Democratic donors.
Trump’s endorsement of Hilton has drawn attention. The former president, who is down 33 points in California’s statewide polls, publicly endorsed Hilton and has repeatedly claimed widespread voter fraud in the state. In a Truth Social post a day before the primary, Trump warned that “two great Republican candidates are being cheated” and urged observers to watch the election closely. Trump also sent a Department of Justice prosecutor to observe ballot counting in Los Angeles.
Becerra has cautioned against interference in California’s election system. While he has not directly criticized Hilton’s endorsement, he has emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the state’s voting process.
If Hilton wins, he would become California’s first Republican governor since 2006, potentially reshaping the state’s policy agenda on taxes, regulation, and public spending. Becerra’s victory would continue the Democratic hold on the governorship and likely reinforce the state’s progressive policy trajectory.
The November 3 runoff will feature only the two candidates who advanced from the primary. California’s governor is term‑limited, so incumbent Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom is ineligible to seek a third term. The state’s political landscape, characterized by a diverse electorate and a history of competitive races, will be closely watched by national observers.
As the campaign season progresses, both candidates are expected to intensify outreach in key regions. Hilton’s campaign has focused on rural and suburban areas, while Becerra’s has targeted urban centers and the Bay Area. The race’s high profile and the presence of a Trump endorsement will likely influence voter turnout and media coverage.
The next steps for the campaign include fundraising, policy debates, and voter registration drives. Both campaigns have announced plans to hold town‑hall meetings and televised debates in the weeks leading up to the general election. The California Secretary of State’s office will release the official November 3 election results on election night.
In summary, the June 2 primary has set the stage for a high‑stakes gubernatorial contest. Steve Hilton’s second‑place finish and Donald Trump’s endorsement have positioned him as a formidable challenger to Xavier Becerra, who has a long record of public service. The November 3 runoff will determine whether California returns to Republican leadership or continues its Democratic trajectory.
