California – June 9, 2026
Former Fox News host and Republican candidate Steve Hilton has advanced from the state's primary election.
According to vote counts released by the Associated Press on the evening of June 9, Hilton received nearly 25% of the votes, qualifying him as one of the two final candidates to run for California Governor in November.
His opponent will be Xavier Becerra, the Democratic candidate, who led the primary round with approximately 28% of the votes.
Steve Hilton Calls for Change
After the results were confirmed, Hilton stated:
"It is a great honor to be chosen by the people of California to lead the movement for change in the greatest state of the greatest nation in the world."
Hilton believes that many California voters feel the state is heading in the wrong direction and that there needs to be a change in how the government is run.
He also criticized his opponent Xavier Becerra's track record, arguing that current policies have contributed to increased cost of living, poverty rates, and unemployment rates in California.
Xavier Becerra Continues to Lead
Becerra is a familiar figure in California and Washington politics.
He has previously held positions such as:
U.S. Representative for California.
California Attorney General.
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden.
In a message posted on social media platform X, Becerra stated that his campaign will continue towards the November election with the goal of expanding development opportunities for all communities in California.
Billionaire Tom Steyer Finishes Third
A notable surprise in the primary round was billionaire Tom Steyer, who, despite spending over $200 million on his campaign, only finished third with approximately 23% of the votes.
This result eliminated Steyer from the race.
The November Showdown
The general election this November will be a showdown between:
🔴 Steve Hilton – Republican Party
🔵 Xavier Becerra – Democratic Party
Observers note that the race will draw national attention because California is the most populous state in the U.S. and is often seen as an important indicator of national political trends.
