California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra smiles after addressing supporters at an election night event Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
LOS ANGELES – Democrat Xavier Becerra made history Tuesday night, becoming California‘s first Latino elected governor after defeating Republican Steve Hilton in the race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom.
“Ladies and gentlemen, you have now entered the Becerra era,” the former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary told his supporters at a victory party in Sacramento after early returns showed him jumping to a lead projected to be insurmountable for Hilton.
Becerra, 68, will succeed Newsom, who will step down due to term limits.
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As voting results were released Tuesday night, Becerra slowly increased his lead, ultimately grabbing nearly two-thirds of the vote.
“What a great night to be a Californian,” Becerra said in his remarks at his election night party. “What a great night to be an American, to be the son of immigrants from a union household, to be standing in victory with all of you.”
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“Now, I’m not going to sugarcoat it. These past two years have been tough. Higher prices, more wars, corruption, and lawlessness,” Becerra added. “We fought and we won. Thank you for making tonight’s victory possible. Thank you for making history in this election for governor.”
Becerra is expected to be sworn in to lead the state in early January.
Hilton, a former Fox News commentator, sought to be California’s first Republican elected governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger won reelection in 2006.
Both candidates proposed plans to build more housing, but differed in their approaches.
Hilton had made a commitment to cap government fees to build a house at $50,000. He argued against building apartment complexes in areas designated as single-family zoning, with the aim of reducing “battles between NIMBY and YIMBYs,” or opponents and supporters of developing in areas designated as single-family zones.
Hilton proposed eliminating state income taxes on the first $150,000 Californians earn. He previously said he would pay for the proposal by cutting funding for high-speed rail and homelessness nonprofits and reducing state government departments’ budgets by 5%.
The Republican candidate also proposed building 10 new cities.
Becerra, also a former congressman and state attorney general, said he would work to double the rate of home building. He emphasized that it will also take enforcement of state laws to ensure everyday Californians can purchase homes, rather than allowing corporate and Wall Street investors to buy up all the housing stock.
Becerra proposed providing up to two hours of free electricity to low-income households using excess solar power. He has also said he would declare a state of emergency to freeze utility and insurance rates.
Hilton previously criticized Becerra for being part of the Democratic establishment that has led to the state’s high cost of living. Becerra attacked Hilton for supporting President Donald Trump’s views on immigration, data centers and other issues.
Becerra called for stricter regulations on data centers, while Hilton said he would let tech companies lead the way on regulations.
On immigration, Hilton criticized Democrats for failing to enforce federal immigration law in the state. Becerra previously said Hilton would welcome and support federal immigration enforcement operations.
The two candidates diverged in their opinions regarding climate change, with Hilton advocating for more drilling for oil in California, better forest management, and implementing practical and sensible goals.
Becerra had spoken about protecting California by advocating for green energy such as solar power, wind and electricity. Hilton previously criticized Becerra for supporting a proposed tax on mileage as a means to fund the maintenance of roads and highways.
Hilton attacked Becerra and the Democratic establishment for the homelessness crisis and for failing to make significant reductions in homelessness. Becerra blamed the Trump administration for attempting to deny California millions of dollars in federal funding to address homelessness. (CNS)
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