Becerra Advances to General Election in California Governor Race
Xavier Becerra has secured a place in the November general election for California’s gubernatorial race, marking a remarkable comeback in one of the state’s most volatile campaign seasons in recent history.
Election officials continue to tally ballots to determine whether Becerra will face fellow Democrat Tom Steyer, the environmental activist known for advocating progressive policies such as universal healthcare and increased taxes on billionaires including himself, or Republican Steve Hilton, a former UK political strategist turned Fox News personality endorsed by Donald Trump, in the fall election.
“The people of the great state of California, in the greatest nation on earth, have spoken – loudly and proudly,” Becerra said in a statement after the Associated Press declared he had secured one of the two spots in the general election. “We will not be bought. We will not be bullied. And we are never backing down. November, here we come.”
From Underdog to Front-Runner
Becerra’s advancement in the nation’s largest Democratic stronghold was described by him as a “Hollywood ending” that few anticipated. Just months prior, with polling at a mere 3%, the former California attorney general and U.S. health secretary faced pressure from within his own party to withdraw from the race to allow voters to consolidate support behind a more viable candidate. “The underdog stayed in the fight,” Becerra told supporters at his election night event on Tuesday, as early returns indicated a strong possibility of a top-two finish in the primary. If victorious in November, he would become California’s first Latino governor since 1875.
Controversy and Early Claims
Despite the ongoing ballot count and expectations that late-arriving mail ballots would favor Democrats, Donald Trump prematurely declared Hilton the winner and, without presenting evidence, accused the state of election rigging. Hilton’s early lead on election night gradually diminished as more ballots were counted, eventually placing him behind Becerra.
“Change is coming, and the campaign for change starts today,” Hilton said earlier this week, stopping short of declaring victory.
Challenges Ahead for Republican Candidate
Any Republican candidate faces significant challenges running statewide in California, where Democrats dominate nearly all levels of government and hold almost a two-to-one voter registration advantage. Running with Trump’s endorsement in a state where the former president is deeply unpopular further complicates Hilton’s path forward.
Conversely, a general election contest between Becerra and Steyer would guarantee a Democrat in the governor’s office, setting the stage for an extended and costly debate between two competing visions for the party’s future.
Primary Campaign Dynamics
In the primary, Steyer invested over $200 million of his personal fortune to saturate media markets, aiming to capitalize on voter frustration regarding housing costs, homelessness, and public safety. In the campaign’s final weeks, Steyer and Becerra engaged in a bitter dispute over their qualifications, experience, and policy platforms.
The uncertainty surrounding the race reflects the unique nature of California’s primary system, in which the top two vote-getters advance to the general election regardless of party affiliation.
Fluid Race and Candidate Withdrawals
Throughout much of the election season, the contest for California’s top office remained highly fluid. A large field of Democrats vied to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited, with no clear frontrunner emerging and prominent figures such as Kamala Harris and Senator Alex Padilla declining to run.
Just as Democrat Eric Swalwell gained momentum, his campaign collapsed amid allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, which he has denied. Swalwell subsequently ended his gubernatorial bid and resigned from Congress.
Becerra’s Steady Rise Amid Challenges
In the wake of Swalwell’s withdrawal, Becerra unexpectedly but steadily consolidated support among Democratic voters as the campaign neared its conclusion. Despite setbacks, including a viral moment where he attempted to influence a TV reporter’s interview by saying,
“This is not a ‘gotcha’ piece, right?”and criticism from former Biden administration officials questioning his record and management style, as well as scrutiny over his stance on single-payer healthcare, Becerra’s support continued to grow.
