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Becerra takes early lead in California governor primary
Former U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra is advancing to the November runoff in California's gubernatorial race, but the identity of his opponent remains unresolved as vote counting continues.
Primary results still pending
With millions of mail-in ballots yet to be tallied, California's primary election could take weeks to finalize. The state, home to 23 million registered voters, allows up to 30 days for counties to process ballots, with official certification expected by July 10.
As of now, Becerra-who previously served as California's attorney general and as health secretary under President Joe Biden-holds a clear lead. However, the race for second place is still contested between Republican former TV host Steve Hilton and Democratic billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer.
Who's in the running?
Hilton, a British-American former advisor to UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Fox News commentator, currently holds second place with over 1.6 million votes. Steyer, who has self-funded much of his campaign, trails with 1.3 million votes, though the margin remains too narrow to declare a winner.
More than 60 candidates, predominantly Democrats, initially vied to replace term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom. The field narrowed after Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell dropped out in April following sexual misconduct allegations, which he has denied.
Becerra's campaign and historic potential
A California native, Becerra has centered his campaign on his decades of political experience, including roles in Congress and state government. If elected, he would become the state's first Latino governor since 1875, in a state where Latinos comprise 41% of the population.
His platform includes opposition to former President Donald Trump's policies and promises to freeze insurance and utility rates for Californians. His candidacy gained momentum after Swalwell's exit, which left a leadership vacuum in the Democratic field.
Record spending and election delays
This year's race has become the most expensive gubernatorial contest in California history, with Steyer and other candidates pouring millions into advertising. Silicon Valley support has also bolstered San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan's campaign.
The prolonged vote count has drawn criticism, including from Trump, who has repeatedly claimed without evidence that mail-in voting enables fraud. In April, he signed an executive order to restrict the practice, though legal experts argue he lacks the authority to enforce such changes.
What's next?
California's next governor will oversee a multibillion-dollar budget, thousands of state employees, and hundreds of agencies. The final results will determine whether Becerra faces Hilton or Steyer in November's general election.
