Becerra, Hilton lead Calif. governor’s race with nearly half of votes remaining

The race is far from over, but early voting totals show Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton have built a decent edge in the California governor’s race.

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Hilton, a former Fox News host, has almost 27% of the vote and Becerra, the former state attorney general and health secretary under the Biden administration, has 25.7%, as of 11:20 p.m. Tuesday, according to live results from the California Secretary of State’s Office. Trailing behind them in third is Tom Steyer, the billionaire Democrat and former presidential candidate, who has just shy of 20%. In fourth is Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, with 12%. Both former Rep. Katie Porter and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan conceded the race, and so far have 5% and 4%, respectively.

The New York Times estimated about 50% of expected votes in the governor’s race have been counted as of about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.

“The California dream, it’s alive tonight,” Becerra said, addressing supporters at his watch party in Los Angeles. “Like my family, LA is the starting line for millions of success stories across this state. And here in Hollywood’s hometown, we love a good underdog story.”

He added: “After all the exhausting ads are run, the pundits are spun, and the billionaires try to buy their way in, it’s the people — only the people — who get the last word.”

Meanwhile, Hilton, who hosted his own election party in Huntington Beach, thanked his voters and declared: “We’re not there yet, but it’s looking good.” 

The results are coming in after what has been the most expensive governor’s race in California history. Sixty people appeared on the ballot to replace outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom — who is termed out from running again — with the candidates collectively spending more than $300 million, according to AdImpact. 

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Shirley Weber, the head of elections in California, anticipated it may take days or weeks for the ballot counting to be fully finished. 

Becerra, who joined the race in April 2025, has enjoyed a generous boost in polling since April. He was initially running well behind other Democrats, polling with about 5% of likely voter support. However, when former Bay Area Rep. Eric Swalwell dropped out this April after sexual assault allegations from multiple women, supporters, donors, and staffers moved quickly to Becerra’s team. In all, special interests spent $13 million to support Becerra.

Hilton, who also jumped in the race last spring, has been the leading Republican — and often leading candidate overall — for months. He basked in early poll success as the crowded Democratic field continued to splinter support. However, in the weeks leading up to Election Day, Hilton alternated between the first and second spots in late polls, jostling with Steyer and Becerra.

One of the latest major polls before Election Day, published by Emerson College, put Becerra in front with 28%, followed by Steyer at 22%, and then Hilton at 21%.