Xavier Becerra won California's gubernatorial race, defeating Republican Steve Hilton to become the state's first Latino governor in more than 150 years. The Associated Press called the race just after polls closed at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, with Becerra holding a substantial lead as ballots were counted.
"What a great night to be a Californian. What a great night to be an American," Becerra said in his victory speech. "To be the son of immigrants from a union household to be standing in victory with all of you."
Becerra, the Sacramento-born former California attorney general and 25th U.S. secretary of health and human services under President Joe Biden, had a slow start in the primary. After Democratic contender Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign amid sexual misconduct allegations, Becerra consolidated support and ran a seven-figure ad blitz to overtake rivals like Tom Steyer ahead of the June primary.
Hilton, a Britain-born former Fox News host, faced long odds. California has not elected a Republican to statewide office in two decades. Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by 4.6 million voters in the state. An endorsement from Donald Trump also likely hurt Hilton's chances in a state where Trump is widely unpopular outside his conservative base.
Hilton's campaign focused on government waste, high living costs, education reform and public safety. He proposed eliminating state income tax on the first $150,000 earned by residents, lowering gas prices to $3 per gallon, implementing statewide homeless encampment bans and proposing a film tax credit as high as 60 percent.
Becerra's campaign centered on lowering the cost of living, expanding healthcare and investing in state infrastructure. For Hollywood specifically, he wants to propose a law requiring studios and streamers to provide performance data and expand entertainment tax credits in areas losing production work. Becerra takes office on Jan. 5, 2027, succeeding Gov. Gavin Newsom.