California is facing a major shift. As Governor Gavin Newsom‘s term comes to an end this year, residents have cast their ballots in the 2026 primary election in the race for governor. Candidates have promised voters new policies to help the state’s affordability and housing crises, and it all seems to come down to Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra.
Throughout Becerra’s campaign, the Democrat vows to battle Donald Trump and his policies if elected governor.
“Californians know all about disasters, but Donald Trump is a man-made natural disaster attacking Californians every day,” Becerra alleges in his campaign promise. “As California’s Attorney General, Xavier Becerra sued the Trump Administration more than 120 times, and won landmark victories protecting Obamacare, working Californians and Dreamers from attacks.”
Hilton, for his part, has campaigned on telling residents that the state is “sadly famous for dystopian scenes of crime, chaos and squalor” and blames the “staggering incompetence of [the] Democrat one-party rule” for the devastation behind the 2025 Los Angeles County fires. He promises to “make California Golden again,” a motto echoing Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan.
Below, get updates on the California gubernatorial primary race.
Key Takeaways from the California Governor Race
- Election Context: The primary election for California’s governor is crucial as it sets the stage for the general election.
- Candidates: Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra are the main contenders in this race.
- Polling Status: Currently, Hilton leads with 27.8 percent while Becerra follows closely at 25.4 percent.
- Future Outlook: The next governor will be determined in November 2026 during the general election.
Who Won the California Governor Primary Race?
Since this is a primary election, none of the candidates is declared the sole winner. The next California governor will be voted for and declared in November 2026, following the general election.
The two highest-voted candidates from the primary election will advance to the general election this fall.
Who Is Winning the California Governor Race Now?
At the time of publication, Hilton is leading the polls at 27.8 percent, according to CNN. Becerra is trailing the Republican at 25.4 percent; Steyer is at 19 percent.
If polls remain the same after all ballots are tallied, Hilton and Becerra will likely advance to the general election.
Who Will Be the Next Governor of California?
It’s too close to project who could be California’s next governor. It all depends on campaigning, and which candidate convinces state residents of positive change once Newsom’s term ends.
