The California governor race tightened overnight as Steve Hilton barely led Xavier Becerra in early returns.
Republican Steve Hilton held a razor thin lead over Democrat Xavier Becerra in early returns from California’s 2026 governor primary, setting up a high stakes race for the state’s top office.
With about 52 percent of expected votes counted, Hilton had 27 percent of the vote, while Becerra had 26 percent, according to early election reporting. Democrat Tom Steyer followed in third with about 20 percent, while Republican Chad Bianco trailed at 11 percent.
California uses a top two primary system, meaning the two candidates with the most votes advance to the November general election regardless of party. That means Hilton and Becerra would move forward if their positions hold as more ballots are counted.
Hilton and Becerra Separate From the Field
Hilton and Becerra have stayed near the top of the field since polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday. The race has drawn national attention because California has not elected a Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Hilton, a former Fox News host and former adviser to British Prime Minister David Cameron, has run as a conservative outsider backed by President Donald Trump.
Becerra, a Democrat and former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary, has campaigned on experience in state and federal government. He also served as California attorney general before joining the Biden administration.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Hilton and Becerra were leading the early count, each with roughly 26 percent of more than 3 million votes counted. San Francisco Chronicle
Tom Steyer Trails in Third Place
Steyer, a billionaire Democratic donor and climate activist, was in third place in the early results. His position matters because a late surge in mail ballots could change the race for second place.
California often counts large numbers of mail ballots after election night. That means early leads can shift as county election offices process remaining votes.
Reuters reported before the election that Becerra, Steyer and Hilton were among the leading candidates in a crowded field to replace term limited Gov. Gavin Newsom. The report noted that California’s top two system could produce several possible November matchups depending on final returns. Reuters
Bianco, the Republican sheriff of Riverside County, remained in fourth place in the early count, while the rest of the field stayed below 5 percent each.
Why the Top Two System Matters
California’s primary system does not guarantee each major party a spot in the general election. All candidates appear on the same ballot, and the top two vote getters advance.
That creates unusual political pressure in crowded races. If several Democrats split the vote, a Republican can rise to the top. If two candidates from the same party finish first and second, the other party can be shut out of November.
The California Secretary of State explains that in voter nominated offices, candidates from all parties appear on one primary ballot, and only the two candidates with the most votes advance. More details are available through the California Secretary of State.
That rule is why the narrow gap between Hilton, Becerra and Steyer matters so much. A shift of a few percentage points could reshape the November contest.
Race to Replace Gavin Newsom Enters New Phase
Gov. Gavin Newsom cannot run again because of term limits. That has opened the door to one of the most competitive California governor races in years.
The field drew dozens of candidates from both parties. It also became a national test of whether Republicans can stay competitive in a state where Democrats hold a major registration advantage.
Hilton’s strong early performance gives Republicans a major talking point. But Becerra’s position near the top keeps Democrats in strong shape for November if he advances.
Steyer’s third place standing keeps the Democratic race unresolved until more ballots are counted. His campaign could still look to later counted ballots for a possible path upward.
What Happens Next
The early results are not final. California counties will continue counting mail ballots, provisional ballots and other valid ballots in the coming days.
Election officials must certify results before the November matchup is official. Until then, the leading candidates can claim momentum, but not victory.
For now, Hilton and Becerra are on track for a November showdown. That would give voters a sharp contrast between a Trump backed Republican and a former Democratic Cabinet secretary.
The California governor race remains close, and the next batch of ballots could decide whether the state gets the expected Hilton Becerra matchup or a late change in one of the most watched races of 2026.::contentReference{index=0} ies Tax Cuts | U.S. Department of the Treasury”