Xavier Becerra Defeats Steve Hilton to Become California's First Elected Latino Governor

Former health secretary wins and prepares to succeed Gavin Newsom

Democrat Xavier Becerra defeated Republican Steve Hilton in California's 2026 gubernatorial election, winning the office that Gov. Gavin Newsom cannot seek again because of term limits. The Associated Press called the race for Becerra, and NBC News and California outlets also reported his victory. Becerra previously served as California attorney general, a member of Congress and secretary of Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden. He will become the first Latino elected governor of California and the first Latino to hold the office since the nineteenth century. The victory extends Democrats' long-running advantage in statewide California elections. The Associated Press reported that Democrats have maintained a 16-year winning streak in statewide contests. Hilton, a former Fox News host and British political adviser with no previous elected-office experience, was endorsed by President Donald Trump. He framed his campaign as a challenge to one-party Democratic rule, emphasizing high living costs, homelessness and the performance of state government. His proposals included reducing gasoline prices and making sweeping changes to state agencies.

Housing, health care, affordability and relations with Washington await the new governor

Becerra campaigned on his experience in public service and repeatedly linked Hilton to Trump. He promised to defend California's interests in disputes over immigration enforcement, voting rights and federal funding. The Los Angeles Times reported that Becerra grew up in a working-class family in Sacramento before studying at Stanford, serving in Congress and becoming California attorney general and a member of Biden's Cabinet. He will take office in a state with a large economy but persistent problems involving housing shortages, high living costs and unemployment. Becerra's campaign proposals included lowering health care costs, accelerating housing construction and addressing price-gouging. He also supported clean energy investment and stronger preparation for natural disasters. NBC Bay Area reported that Becerra backed regulating artificial intelligence while encouraging its use in government and schools. On data centers, he argued that they could add value to California's energy infrastructure but should meet environmental disclosure requirements. The governor-elect will also inherit a complicated relationship with the federal government. California has frequently challenged Trump administration policies in court and through state-level legislation. Becerra has promised to continue defending the state's approach to immigration and voting rights, setting up further disputes with Washington during the final two years of Trump's term.

A low-profile campaign gained momentum after turmoil in the Democratic primary

Becerra was not initially viewed as the leading candidate in the Democratic field. The San Francisco Chronicle and KQED reported that he struggled to gain traction during the primary, when several better-known candidates competed for attention. His position improved after prominent Democrat Eric Swalwell left the race amid sexual assault allegations, which he denied. Party leaders and interest groups then increasingly consolidated around Becerra as a mainstream alternative. Becerra largely kept a low public profile during much of the general election campaign, increasing his appearances in the final weeks. Hilton, by contrast, presented himself as an outsider willing to confront California's political establishment and benefited from Trump's endorsement. The San Francisco Standard reported that Becerra's victory was significant because it ensured that California would remain a Democratic stronghold in its policy disputes with the Trump administration. The result is both a milestone in political representation and a test of governing capacity. California faces major challenges involving housing, health care, energy, natural disasters and public finances. Becerra's long experience in public office helped him win the election, but voters will now expect him to turn that experience into workable policies that address everyday costs and improve the state's performance.