Becerra takes California governorship in AP projection

Xavier Becerra is the projected winner of the California gubernatorial race, according to the Associated Press.

Becerra, a Democrat, secured the nomination after receiving 28 percent of the vote in the June 2 primary. He defeated Republican Steve Hilton in the general election. Becerra brings more than 35 years of experience in state and federal office, including service as a U.S. congressman, California attorney general, and Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden.

Hilton, a former Fox News host and adviser to former British Prime Minister David Cameron, has never held elected office. He argued that one-party rule under Democrats was responsible for California's high cost of living and homelessness crisis. Before Election Day, Hilton held a news conference where he stated, “This is what you get with one-party rule. You get a bunch of people in charge who think that they can get away with anything.”

Becerra positioned himself as the candidate to defend California against the policies of President Donald Trump, who endorsed Hilton. Becerra tied his opponent to the president on issues ranging from immigration to voting rights. At a recent rally, Becerra said, “In so many ways, this election is a choice between reaching higher for California’s golden dream or descending further down Donald Trump’s golden, infamous escalator.”

Becerra was not initially considered a top contender in the large primary field. He admitted at a rally that his campaign was “an afterthought, maybe even a punchline” early on. His position improved when former Representative Eric Swalwell, a front-runner, dropped out of the race and resigned from Congress following allegations of sexual assault, which Swalwell has denied. The party establishment and voters subsequently turned to Becerra as a more reliable alternative.

The victory maintains the Democratic Party's 16-year winning streak in statewide California elections. Becerra will be the first Latino governor of California since the late 19th century. Born in Sacramento to a mother from Mexico and a father born in California and raised in Mexico, Becerra focused on appealing to Latino voters by releasing ads and social media posts in Spanish. He told supporters at a rally, “I’m running to be what the haters fear most: a proud son of immigrants with a law degree and a union card governing America’s most diverse and successful state.”

Hilton attempted to reach voters who typically support Democrats by releasing ads with AI-generated content and making ambitious policy promises. He pledged to abolish the Department of Motor Vehicles and cut gas prices to $3 a gallon, a rate the state has not seen in years.