Steve Hilton leads California primary for governor with Xavier Becerra in 2nd as vote count continues
The vote count could take days or even weeks to complete.
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The vote count could take days or even weeks to complete.
Steve Hilton was leading in the vote count on Tuesday night after that day's primary, with Biden's former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in second place. Whichever candidates take the top two spots in the open primary will face off in the November election. Billionaire Tom Steyer, who was also vying for the state's top seat, trailed in third despite his endorsement by the Democratic Socialists of America.
As the vote count continued, a process which in California could take days or perhaps weeks, GOP contender Hilton held a slim lead over Becerra, with 27.8% to 25.4% of the tallied vote each. Steyer held under a million votes at 19.6% while other candidates, including Katie Porter and Chad Bianco, held on to a combined 27.3%.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris declined to run in the election despite rumors that she would throw her hat into the ring to replace Newsom, and former front-runner Eric Swalwell dropped out of the race following resurfaced allegations of sexual assault. He has denied the accusations.
Becerra saw an uptick in support after Swalwell left the race. Despite Trump's endorsement of Hilton, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco stayed in the race, likely drawing support away from Hilton in the primary election. Hilton had urged Republican voters to unite around him leading up to the election.
Hilton, a former Fox News host, ran on cutting back on California’s regulations, lowering the price of gas, fixing schools, and cracking down on crime and fraud. Steyer was a favorite of the far left despite his billionaire status and has vowed to levy more taxes on those in his lofty tax bracket, as well as on himself.
The race is a stark contrast to recent races where Democrat politicians dominated the field. The last GOP governor of Californa was actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who served two terms in Sacramento. Newsom declined to endorse anyone in the crowded Democrat field. Newsom is believed to have his eyes set on running for president in 2028, when President Trump's term in office comes to a close.
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