Steve Hilton will face Democrat Xavier Becerra in the November 3, 2026, California governor’s race after finishing second in the June top-two primary, according to NBC News and state reporting. The general-election matchup sets up a contest between Hilton’s outsider, pro-business message and Becerra’s long record in California government.
NBC News projected on June 9 that Hilton, a Republican and former Fox News host, advanced to the general election where he will meet former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.
The Los Angeles Times vote tally shows Becerra finished first in the June 2 primary with 28.1% of the vote while Hilton placed second with 24.6%, a margin that sent both to the Nov. 3 ballot under California’s top-two system.
Hilton has courted independent and moderate voters since the primary and has leaned on President Donald Trump’s April endorsement, a strategy NBC News noted as helping him consolidate Republican support despite being an underdog in a state where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly two-to-one.
Both campaigns are preparing for a high-profile fall fight focused on housing, homelessness and the economy. The Los Angeles Times reports Becerra has emphasized continuity with recent Democratic priorities while Hilton promises tax cuts, deregulation and a different approach to affordability.
Campaign watchers say the race will test whether Hilton can expand beyond the Republican base in a state that last elected a GOP governor two decades ago; NBC News highlighted vote-counting quirks in California, including the heavy use of mail ballots, which can extend final tallies for weeks.
For context on state leadership and the open-seat dynamic, outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom has remained publicly neutral in the contest while endorsing Becerra, reporting shows.
Sources
- NBC News — projected Hilton would advance to the November general election and reported on vote shares and Trump’s endorsement.
- Los Angeles Times — provided primary percentages (Becerra 28.1%, Hilton 24.6%), candidate profiles and issue positions.
