Democrat Xavier Becerra has been elected governor of California, NBC News projects, securing a decisive victory over Trump-backed Republican challenger Steve Hilton. The 68-year-old former Health and Human Services secretary will succeed outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited and widely considered a potential candidate for the 2028 presidential race.
The election keeps California—the nation’s most populous state—firmly in Democratic hands, continuing a streak that has seen no Republican hold the governor’s mansion since Arnold Schwarzenegger departed office in 2007. Despite Hilton’s attempts to capture voter dissatisfaction with the state’s current direction, he struggled to gain traction in a state that rejected Donald Trump by a 20-point margin in 2024.
Becerra’s campaign was anchored in a promise to serve as a firewall against federal overreach. Throughout his run, he positioned himself as an experienced combatant against the former president, frequently reminding voters of his time as California’s attorney general, where he filed 122 lawsuits against the Trump administration.
“As governor of California, I vow to protect and lead our state against Trump and his attacks,” Becerra stated on his campaign website. “When Trump and his administration threaten access to healthcare, affordable housing, fair wages, or protections for immigrants and marginalized communities, the state has a responsibility to step in and fight.”
In addition to his focus on national resistance, Becerra’s platform addressed deep-seated local concerns. He campaigned on comprehensive plans to combat the state’s persistent housing crisis, manage the impact of climate change through disaster mitigation, and address energy infrastructure. He also broke new ground in the policy conversation by advocating for a balanced regulatory approach to artificial intelligence, arguing that while AI must be overseen, it could offer significant benefits to the state’s educational and energy sectors.
The path to victory was not without turbulence. Becerra faced scrutiny from former colleagues regarding his tenure in the Biden administration, particularly concerning his management of the Covid-19 pandemic, the baby formula shortage, and the handling of migrant children at the border. His rise to the general election also followed a primary season reshuffled by the withdrawal of Democratic rival Eric Swalwell, who exited the race amidst misconduct allegations.
His opponent, Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host and U.K. transplant who became a U.S. citizen in 2021, attempted to pivot the discourse toward the economy, attacking Becerra’s record and labeling him as a career politician out of touch with the state’s needs. However, the Trump endorsement ultimately proved insufficient to bridge the deep partisan divide in California.
With his win, Becerra returns to the helm of state politics with a mandate to balance progressive policy goals with the pragmatic demands of leading a state facing significant environmental and economic challenges. He is set to be sworn in early next year.
Disclaimer: This content is auto-generated for informational purposes only.
Source: Read Original News
