Steve Hilton and Xavier Becerra advance to California governor general election
The Facts
- Steve Hilton, a Republican and former Fox News host, advanced to California's November general election for governor and will face Democrat Xavier Becerra.
- Hilton won the second of two spots available under California's nonpartisan top-two primary system, in which all candidates appear on the same ballot and the top two vote-getters advance regardless of party.
- Tom Steyer finished third in the primary behind Becerra and Hilton, missing the general election.
- The outcome was not projected until about a week after the June 2 primary because ballot counting was still continuing.
- Becerra is a Democrat who previously served as U.S. health secretary in the Biden administration.
- Hilton was endorsed by President Donald Trump.
- The race is for an open governorship because Gov. Gavin Newsom is term-limited.
- The primary drew unusual financial attention, with sources describing record or near-record spending and noting that Steyer alone put more than $216 million of his own money into his campaign.
How left and right are reading this
- Both agree
- Heavy spending and unusual financial attention did not decide the final lineup: after extended ballot counting, the general election field is Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton, while Tom Steyer’s self-funded bid still ended in third place.
- They split on
- Less a disagreement than a question of emphasis: what Steyer’s loss says about the limits of money and access in politics, versus what the top-two primary says about how California’s election rules sort candidates into the general election.
Analytical frames for this storyTap to explore
Context
Why did it take days to determine who got the second spot?
California continues counting ballots after Election Day, including mailed ballots that are accepted if postmarked by Election Day and received within the allowed window, so media organizations waited until the margin between Hilton and Steyer was clear enough to project the result Reuters,NBC News,BBC.
How does California's primary system work in this race?
California uses a nonpartisan top-two primary for statewide races: candidates from all parties appear on one ballot, and the two candidates with the most votes advance to the general election, even if they are from the same party NYT,Washington Post,NBC News.
Why does this result matter beyond the primary itself?
The result sets the November matchup for the state's open governor's race and means voters will choose between Becerra and Hilton rather than seeing two Democrats on the general-election ballot; it also ends Steyer's bid after his heavily funded campaign POLITICO,NYT,POLITICO.
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Wire services (7)
Independent coverage (50)
New York PostSteve Hilton advances; now the real race begins
YahooRepublican candidate qualifies for California gubernatorial ...
The Daily CallerRepublican's Bid To Succeed Newsom Hangs On By Thread With R...
New York PostSteve Hilton shares intimate message with voters as he prepa...
The HillSteyer endorses Becerra after losing California gubernatoria...
POLITICOSteyer is out of the California governor's race, along with ...
YahooSteyer is out of the California governor's race, along with ...
The Real Deal New YorkWill Becerra, Hilton bring real estate backers to November r...
ABC7Steve Hilton suggests voter ID law in California would speed...
Mother JonesBecerra and Hilton advance in California governor's race
The GuardianWho is Steve Hilton, the Briton who could become California'...
YahooWho is Steve Hilton, the Briton who could become California'...
Fox NewsSteve Hilton moves to California gubernatorial general elect...
YahooRepublican Steve Hilton advances to general election in Cali...
San Francisco GateCalifornia's long, drawn-out governor primary is finally ove...
The Detroit NewsRepublican Steve Hilton advances in California governor's ra...
The InterceptIn California, a Former Biden Official and Fox News Personal...
YahooSteve Hilton advances with Xavier Becerra to set up two-hors...
YahooSteve Hilton advances with Xavier Becerra to set up two-hors...
YahooBecerra points to infrastructure over vote count speed in Ca...
KTLA 5Republican Steve Hilton advances in California governor's ra...
The Wall Street JournalRepublican Steve Hilton to Face Off Against Xavier Becerra f...
YahooDemocrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton Win Cali...
Washington ExaminerTrump-backed Steve Hilton advances to general election for C...
ABC7Republican Steve Hilton advances to CA governor runoff, will...
LAistRepublican Steve Hilton to face Becerra in November in race ...
Ventura County StarHilton advances to general election for California governor
USA TodayHilton, Becerra advance to general election for California g...
San Jose Mercury NewsIt's official: Becerra, Hilton move onto November governor's...
San Diego Union-TribuneIt's official: Becerra, Hilton move on to November governor'...
Daily NewsSteve Hilton projected to advance in California governor rac...
KCRARepublican Steve Hilton advances to general election in race...
BBCSteve Hilton edges out Tom Steyer in California governor rac...
San Francisco ChronicleSteve Hilton secures No. 2 spot in governor's race, will fac...
YahooHilton advances to general election for California governor
YahooHilton, Becerra advance to general election for California g...
HuffPostRepublican Steve Hilton Will Advance With Xavier Becerra In ...
Fox NewsTrump-backed Hilton advances to California governor general ...
The New York TimesSteve Hilton Wins Second Spot in California Governor Race, B...
POLITICOBecerra to face Hilton in California gov's race, after Steye...
YahooBecerra to face Hilton in California gov's race, after Steye...
CBS NewsHilton to face Becerra in November election for California g...
The GuardianRepublican Steve Hilton advances in tight California governo...
YahooRepublican Steve Hilton advances in tight California governo...
CalMattersElection update: Republican Steve Hilton to face Becerra in ...
Washington PostRepublican Steve Hilton advances in California governor's ra...
Los Angeles TimesFormer Fox News host Steve Hilton clinches a top spot in gov...
YahooFormer Fox News host Steve Hilton clinches a top spot in gov...
NBC Southern CaliforniaSteve Hilton advances to CA governor's runoff, set to face X...
NBC NewsRepublican Steve Hilton to face Democrat Xavier Becerra in C...
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