Xavier Becerra secured 28% of the vote in California’s June 2 primary and advanced to the November 3 general election for governor, setting up a matchup with Republican Steve Hilton in a race that will determine who leads the nation’s most populous state.
Becerra, the former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and California’s attorney general, finished first among a crowded field under the state’s top-two primary system, which advances the two highest vote-getters regardless of party affiliation. Hilton, a former Fox News host, claimed the second spot with 24.6% of the vote, edging out billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer, who received 22.9%.
The result marks a stunning reversal for Becerra, who was polling at around 3% in late March before surging dramatically in the months leading up to the primary. According to polling data, Becerra had just 5% support in September 2025, dropping further to 3% by March 2026. His momentum shifted after former U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell withdrew from the race in April following allegations of sexual assault and misconduct—several of Swalwell’s campaign advisors subsequently joined Becerra’s team.
Now 68 years old, Becerra brings decades of experience in California politics. He served 12 terms in Congress representing Los Angeles before being appointed state attorney general in 2017 by then-Governor Jerry Brown, replacing Kamala Harris. As attorney general, Becerra became a leading legal opponent of the first Trump administration, suing the federal government more than 120 times over immigration enforcement, environmental protections, and the Affordable Care Act, according to the Los Angeles Times.
In 2021, President Biden nominated Becerra as HHS Secretary, making him the first Latino to lead the department. During his tenure, he oversaw the federal response to COVID-19 vaccination efforts and managed the care of unaccompanied migrant children entering the country. His record on the latter issue has drawn scrutiny; a New York Times investigation found that as a result of scaled-back vetting processes, many children ended up working in dangerous jobs at factories, farms, and construction sites.
Becerra is the son of Mexican immigrants—his mother worked as a clerical worker and his father picked vegetables and worked in construction. He became the first in his family to attend college, earning degrees in law and economics from Stanford University. In the general election race, both Becerra and Hilton share working-class immigrant backgrounds, but they diverge sharply on policy. If elected, Becerra has pledged to solidify California’s liberal policies and oppose Trump, while Hilton promises to cut taxes, reduce regulations, and shrink state government.
Hilton, 56, was born in London to parents who fled Hungary and moved to California in 2012 after his wife, Rachel Whetstone, was promoted to lead global communications at Google. He hosted “The Next Revolution,” a weekly Fox News show for six years, where he regularly criticized COVID-19 lockdowns and questioned the 2020 election results. He became a U.S. citizen in 2021 and has positioned himself as a Trump-aligned candidate, though he has also made overtures to independent voters in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly two to one.
The general election takes place on November 3, 2026. Recent polling shows Becerra with a substantial lead; a UC Berkeley poll released in mid-August found him leading Hilton 55% to 37% among likely voters. Outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited, has endorsed Becerra and is considering a 2028 presidential run.
Sources
- NPR — California primary results showing Becerra at 28.1% and Hilton at 24.6%
- Los Angeles Times — Comprehensive candidate guide detailing Becerra’s background, polling surge, record as attorney general suing Trump administration 120+ times, and HHS tenure; Hilton’s Fox News background and campaign positioning
- The Guardian — Becerra’s polling trajectory from 3% in late March to primary victory
- The Hill — Becerra’s polling data showing 3% support in March and 5% in September 2025
- NBC News — Confirmation of Becerra and Hilton advancing to general election on November 3, 2026
- KQED — UC Berkeley poll showing Becerra leading 55% to 37% in general election matchup
- Ballotpedia — Top-two primary system confirmation and final primary vote percentages
