President Donald Trump, California’s high cost of living, and political experience are central themes as voters decide between Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton for the state's next governor.
The winner will succeed Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is unable to seek a third term.
Becerra, a former state attorney general and U.S. health secretary, has positioned himself as a candidate with extensive experience, promising to uphold California's liberal policies as a counterweight to the Trump administration's Republican agenda. Hilton, a former political adviser in the United Kingdom and Fox News host, is campaigning as a fresh face aiming to correct the course after 15 years of Democratic leadership.
Hilton faces significant challenges in a state where Democrats constitute approximately 45% of registered voters, compared to Republicans' 25%.
The election has also been marked by a dispute over voter eligibility. The Trump administration alleged that up to 20,000 noncitizens could be registered to vote and sued California to prevent their ballots from being counted. The U.S. Supreme Court, along with several lower courts, rejected the administration's demand. State and local election officials maintain they adhere to federal law, and experts suggest that noncitizen voting is rare and has not historically influenced election outcomes.
Becerra, with over 35 years in politics and government, argues his experience is crucial for governing. "You can’t do it with someone who’s never served, who’s never balanced a budget the size of California, who’s never actually been there to defend people against the tyrant like Donald Trump," he stated during a CNN debate.
Hilton, who has never held elected office, presents his lack of political experience as an advantage, contending that prolonged Democratic leadership has led to affordability issues for Californians concerning gas, housing, and education. "That spirit is being crushed by this bloated, nanny-state bureaucratic government that Xavier has been a part of for 36 years," Hilton said at the debate.
Both candidates emerged from a primary field with multiple prominent Democrats and two notable Republicans. Becerra's campaign gained momentum after former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell, initially a front-runner, withdrew from the race. Becerra has sought to leverage Trump's unpopularity in California by linking Hilton to the former president, highlighting Trump's endorsement of Hilton.
Hilton has utilized attention-grabbing advertisements, some with AI-generated content, to appeal to voters seeking change. He has also made ambitious promises, such as eliminating the DMV and reducing gas prices to $3 a gallon. These proposals have resonated with some voters, like independent Richard Hartman, who supports Hilton to bring political balance to the state and address concerns about homelessness and the cost of living.
Interestingly, both candidates share immigrant backgrounds. Hilton's parents fled communism, and he advised former Prime Minister David Cameron before moving to California. Becerra, born in Sacramento to a Mexican mother and a U.S.-born father, has focused on appealing to Latino voters and could become the state's first Latino governor since the late 19th century.