California gubernatorial primary remains undecided as Becerra and Hilton lead race for top-two runoff

The California gubernatorial primary remains undecided, with Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton leading the race for the top two runoff spots. Becerra, a former HHS Secretary, has made a dramatic comeback after polling in the single digits in April. Hilton, a former Fox News host, was boosted by an endorsement from Donald Trump. Billionaire Tom Steyer, who self-funded his campaign with over $213 million, is in third.

California gubernatorial primary results

• ▪Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican business executive Steve Hilton are leading the race for the top two spots in the California gubernatorial primary
• ▪Democrat Tom Steyer, a billionaire activist, was in third place in the early returns
• ▪The California gubernatorial primary election is too close to call as of June 3, 2026, with vote counting still underway
• ▪The winner of the election will succeed incumbent Governor Gavin Newsom, who is ineligible to run again due to term limits
• ▪California's primary system allows the top two vote-getters to advance to the general election, regardless of their political party

Becerra Democratic establishment support

• ▪Becerra’s position near the top of the field followed a late surge after earlier polling had him in the lower tier
• ▪Xavier Becerra's campaign was seen as a primary beneficiary of U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell's exit from the race amid sexual assault allegations
• ▪Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra is the former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary, a former member of Congress, and a former California attorney general

Hilton Trump endorsement

• ▪Donald Trump's endorsement helped Steve Hilton pull ahead of his main Republican rival, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco
• ▪Republican candidate Steve Hilton is a former Fox News commentator and a past political adviser to former British Prime Minister David Cameron
• ▪President Donald Trump endorsed Steve Hilton in April 2026
• ▪Steve Hilton has campaigned on a platform of change, arguing it is needed after 16 years of one-party Democratic control in California

Steyer self-funded progressive campaign

• ▪Tom Steyer ran on a progressive, populist message, styling himself as a "class traitor" who would challenge corporate special interests
• ▪Billionaire activist Tom Steyer self-funded his 2026 progressive Democratic campaign for California governor with over $213 million.

California affordability crisis

• ▪Affordability and the cost of living have been dominant issues in the California gubernatorial race
• ▪Key issues for California residents include a high cost of living, nation-topping gas prices, and wildfire risks
• ▪Rivals Steve Hilton and Tom Steyer have both portrayed Xavier Becerra as a symbol of the political status quo