Steve Hilton Advances to California Governor Runoff, Defeating Tom Steyer for Second Spot

Jun 9, 2026

Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host endorsed by Donald Trump, will face Democrat Xavier Becerra in the November general election for California governor. Hilton defeated billionaire Tom Steyer for the second runoff spot in a race that became the state's most expensive on record, with Steyer spending over $216 million of his own money. The result sets up a lopsided contest in a state that has not elected a Republican governor in over 15 years.

California governor primary results

▪Under California's primary rules, the top two finishers advance to the general election regardless of their political party.
▪Republican Steve Hilton secured the second spot in California's gubernatorial primary, advancing to the November general election.
▪Billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer finished third in the primary and was eliminated from the race.
▪Democrat Xavier Becerra will face Steve Hilton in the general election.
▪The winner of the election will replace Governor Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited.

Steve Hilton political background

▪Steve Hilton is a former Fox News host and previously served as a top adviser to former UK Prime Minister David Cameron.
▪Steve Hilton became a U.S. citizen in 2021.
▪Steve Hilton has never held elected office before.

Trump endorsement of Hilton

▪Former President Donald Trump endorsed Steve Hilton for California governor.
▪Donald Trump stated that Steve Hilton would "be a great governor" and would "turn California around, quickly."
▪Donald Trump pledged that the "Federal Government will be there, with him, to help!" if Steve Hilton wins.

Xavier Becerra candidacy

▪If elected, Xavier Becerra would be California's first Latino governor since 1875.
▪Xavier Becerra is a Democrat who served as health secretary in the Biden administration and as California's attorney general.

California Republican electoral prospects

▪If Steve Hilton wins in November, he would be the first Republican governor of California in 15 years.
▪The general election matchup is considered a lopsided contest in the heavily Democratic state.
▪A Republican has not won the California governor's office in two decades.

Expensive gubernatorial campaign spending

▪After his loss, Tom Steyer called on his supporters to unite behind Xavier Becerra.
▪Billionaire candidate Tom Steyer spent more than $216 million of his personal fortune on his primary campaign.
▪Tom Steyer said he understood "why so many people just couldn’t stomach voting for a billionaire."
▪The contest became the most expensive California governor's race on record.