Hilton will compete against Becerra in the California Governor election
Steve Hilton will compete against Xavier Becerra in the governor election of California, having both progressed from the state primary.
Republican media personality Steve Hilton is anticipated to advance to the general election on November 3 following the open primary on June 2, as reported by US media on Tuesday.
The anticipated outcome emerged following further vote counts that verified Hilton and Becerra’s sustained leads in a competitive group of candidates. Democratic billionaire Tom Steyer, who had consistently maintained a close third place, ultimately failed to close the gap.
Becerra led the race with 27.9 percent of the vote, while Hilton followed with 24.9 percent, as reported by the Associated Press. Steyer secured third place with 22.6 percent.
California’s election system permits all candidates, irrespective of their political affiliation, to be listed on the same ballot, with the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes moving on to the general election.
The state’s extended vote-counting procedure postponed the confirmation of the finalists, as mail-in ballots continue to be valid if they are postmarked by Election Day and received within the subsequent seven days. Election officials are numbered by weeks to confirm and validate the results.
The victor of the November election will take over from term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom and lead California, which boasts a $4 trillion economy and is grappling with issues such as housing affordability, homelessness, and water management.
Becerra, a former attorney general of California and congressman from Los Angeles, has previously held the position of US Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden. A win in November would mark him as the first Latino to be elected governor of the state.
Hilton, a political commentator originally from Britain and a former host at Fox News, attained US citizenship in 2021. He has previously acted as an adviser to former British Prime Minister David Cameron and garnered the endorsement of President Donald Trump during the campaign.
Steyer, a billionaire investor who invested significantly in the race, advocated for progressive policies and suggested increased taxes on the wealthiest residents, including himself.
Since the end of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s governorship in 2011, Republicans have not secured a statewide office in California, positioning Hilton’s campaign as one of the party’s most significant opportunities in recent years.
