JUNE 10, 2026

Steve Hilton Advances to California Governor General Election, Setting Up November Race Against Democrat

Republican Steve Hilton has secured one of two spots in the November California gubernatorial general election, according to the Associated Press. Hilton will face a Democratic opponent — with former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emerging as the leading contender for the second spot — in a race to succeed term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom. California uses a jungle primary system in which all candidates appear on the same ballot regardless of party, with the top two finishers advancing.

Steve Hilton, a former British political strategist who became a conservative commentator and Fox News host, won one of two tickets to California's November gubernatorial election, the Associated Press reported Tuesday. Hilton is backed by President Donald Trump, whose endorsement came in early April.

The second spot in the general election remained contested at the time of reporting, with the race between Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer. Becerra, a former California attorney general who served as Health and Human Services Secretary in the Biden administration, would become California's first Latino governor in modern history if elected. Steyer, a billionaire hedge fund founder and environmental activist, spent more than $200 million of his own money on the race. Outside spending in the contest exceeded $80 million, according to Fox News.

The field of 61 candidates also included Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican whose momentum Fox News reported was blunted after Trump endorsed Hilton in early April, as well as Democratic candidates former Rep. Katie Porter, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.