Republican Steve Hilton advances to general election in race for California governor

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: AP

Updated 7:47 PM EDT, June 9, 2026


SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Republican Steve Hilton has advanced to the general election for California governor after making the case that the state desperately needs new leadership following more than 15 years of Democratic dominance.

He’ll face Democrat Xavier Becerra, a former state attorney general and Biden administration health secretary, whom The Associated Press previously determined had won enough votes.

Hilton faces a challenging electorate in the November election, as California has nearly twice as many registered Democrats as Republicans. If elected he would be the first GOP candidate to win statewide office since 2006.

He thinks he can beat the odds. “Change is coming to California,” Hilton said the day after the election. “That is good news for everyone.”. The outcome means Democratic candidate Tom Steyer did not qualify for the November election.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/california-governor-election-primary-2026-ead2e489977a95692300735520cae195

[bsiebs]

1. Hilton will not win the General Election in California. The more he talks, the worst he sounds.

And he cannot run away from his trump endorsement.

[Cheezoholic]

2. And suddenly Democratic leaders across the country scream....

Nothing. See you in Nov.

[RandySF]

3. Good

We didn’t need an expensive D vs D death match at the top of the ballot.

[armodem08]

8. Actually, this hurts Dems in Congress

Having two Democrats run against each other for Governor would have driven down Republican turnout for Congressional races. Strategy is important!

[Karasu]

10. Would undoubtedly drive some more of them out of the state, too. CA Republicans all want to live in Florida anyway.

[LisaL]

12. That's one theory.

As far as I am concerned, if two dems were going against each other, with negative campaigning, that could have driven democratic turnout down.

[Emile]

15. Does this mean you also want Mills to drop out, and throw all her support to Graham Platner?

[boonecreek]

4. He's almost 246,000 votes behind Beccera

with a little over 1.9 million to be counted so I don't see him overtaking him.
Then in the runoff there are the votes for Steyer, Katie Porter etc. I don't see
those voters staying home.

[msongs]

5. so steyer is now free to use his billions to do something that benefits humanity. go for it

[travelingthrulife]

18. Yeah. Still waiting for him to do this.

[SSJVegeta]

6. Still a fairly bold call but not nearly as bold as ddhq

There are still a million votes left to count so Steyer could technically still catch up. But tomorrow we will be 100% sure either way.

Was rooting for Steyer staying in. Oh well. 😞

[msongs]

7. not advanced, projected to advance. nobody advances til certification. odd the editorial did not

include any numbers

[Exp]

9. Hilton hasn't a chance of winning. Not in THIS climate of failed GOP policies. eom

[Scalded Nun]

11. Where did all those votes come from????? I smell something fishy.

We need investigations. Voter fraud everywhere!!!!!

[AZ8theist]

14. You just have to LOOK at it!!

[Hieronymus Phact]

13. Does this wreck all the democrats are cheating stories?

[nwduke]

16. From the trump endorsed creep

That brought Great Britain’s Brexit disaster now wants to bring a Trump disaster to California! No wonder they chased this clown out of their country!

[travelingthrulife]

19. This should be all that needs to be said.

[nwduke]

17. From the guy

Who brought the Great Britain’s Brexit disaster now wants to bring a Trump disaster to California! No wonder they chased this clown out of their country!