California Primary: Hilton and Becerra Advance to Runoff Election

Primary Results

Hilton and former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra are leading early in the primary as results continue to come in. With no candidate projected to secure more than 35% of the vote, the top two finishers will advance to a runoff election set for July 28.

Hilton's Campaign

Republican businessman Steve Hilton told supporters Tuesday night that "change is coming to California, and it's long overdue," saying "over 1 million Californians" had already put their faith in him as he hoped to advance to November's gubernatorial election. Hilton, a former Fox News host endorsed by President Donald Trump, anchored his pitch on affordability, vowing to make the state "Cal affordable" by letting workers keep "your first 100 grand tax-free," cutting electric bills "in half," and pushing for "$3 gas" by tapping California oil.

Becerra's Path Forward

Former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra told supporters that it "appears that we are on track to advance to November," framing his gubernatorial bid as an underdog story built on his parents — "two immigrants, $12 and a dream" — who came to California as a construction worker and a clerical worker. The Democratic frontrunner cast himself as "a working-class governor with a law degree and a union card," and pitched a "building revolution" on housing, universal access to affordable health care, and a defense of voting and "the rights of women, no exception, no equivocation, no retreat."

Competitive Landscape

The figure Hilton is watching most closely is "the gap between me and the third place candidate, Tom Steyer," he said while speaking to CNN's Elex Michaelson before heading to his watch party. The runoff format ensures California voters will make a final decision on the state's gubernatorial direction in late July.