Xavier Becerra Secures Spot in California Governor Runoff: What You Need to Know

Veteran Democratic politician Xavier Becerra has officially advanced to the November general election in the race to become California’s next governor, capping a stunning political comeback that has reshaped the state’s political landscape. The Associated Press called the race on Friday, three days after the June 2 primary election, confirming that the former Health and Human Services Secretary will be one of two candidates on the ballot this fall [7†L10-L12].

Becerra’s advancement marks a dramatic turnaround for the 68-year-old career politician. Just four months ago, he was polling at 3% and facing pressure from the California Democratic Party to drop out of the race [10†L33-L37]. But a series of unexpected events — including the abrupt departure of former frontrunner Eric Swalwell amid sexual assault allegations — opened a path for Becerra to consolidate establishment Democratic support and surge ahead [11†L35-L38].

The outcome of the general election could make history. If elected, Becerra would become California’s first elected Latino governor, and the first Latino to hold the office since Romualdo Pacheco served a 10-month term in 1875 after being elevated from lieutenant governor [7†L47-L50]. “The people of the great state of California, in the greatest nation on earth, have spoken — loudly and proudly,” Becerra said in a statement Friday. “We will not be bought. We will not be bullied. And we are never backing down. November, here we come” [9†L13-L16].

Becerra’s Primary Performance: A Closer Look

Under California’s top-two primary system, all candidates appear on a single ballot regardless of party affiliation, and the two candidates with the most votes advance to the November general election [5†L20-L22]. As of late Friday, with approximately two-thirds of votes counted, Becerra had secured nearly 27% of the vote, while Republican Steve Hilton trailed closely at around 26% [15†L12-L14].

The extended vote-counting process — a hallmark of California’s universal vote-by-mail system — delayed final determination of the second runoff spot. Ballots postmarked by Election Day have up to seven days to arrive, and signature verification requirements further prolong the tallying process [11†L20-L23].

Becerra’s rise was propelled by late-breaking Democratic ballots. Polling data showed that Republican voters tended to cast their ballots earlier in the voting period, while many Democrats waited until the final days to make their choice among a crowded field of candidates [12†L19-L22]. By Friday, Becerra had narrowly overtaken Hilton to claim the top spot [12†L23-L24].

The Opponent Remains Unclear: Hilton vs. Steyer

While Becerra’s spot in the runoff is secured, his November opponent remains uncertain. Two candidates are locked in a tight battle for second place:

Steve Hilton (R) , a former Fox News commentator and British-American citizen, currently holds the second position. President Donald Trump endorsed Hilton in April, helping consolidate the Republican vote and alleviating Democratic fears that two GOP candidates could advance from the crowded primary [16†L32-L36]. Hilton — who became a U.S. citizen in 2021 — has campaigned on tax cuts, reducing regulatory red tape for businesses, and increasing homeownership [16†L31-L32].

Tom Steyer (D) , a billionaire climate activist and former hedge fund manager, trails Hilton by a narrow margin. Steyer has poured approximately $216 million of his own wealth into his campaign, saturating California’s television screens, social media feeds, and mailboxes with advertisements [7†L22-L25]. He has branded himself as “the billionaire who wants to tax billionaires,” campaigning on closing corporate tax loopholes and supporting single-payer health care [8†L44-L46].

If Hilton secures the second spot, political analysts expect Becerra to enter the general election with a substantial advantage. Democrats outnumber Republicans in California by nearly a two-to-one margin, and no Republican has won a statewide race since 2006 [7†L39-L43]. Additionally, a UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies survey found that nearly two-thirds of California voters want a governor who will fight Trump’s policies — a position Becerra has embraced [7†L44-L46].

If Steyer overtakes Hilton, however, the general election would become a competitive all-Democratic showdown, pitting Becerra’s establishment credentials and union support against Steyer’s progressive outsider message and virtually unlimited personal resources [15†L27-L29].

Why Becerra Survived and Surged

Becerra’s path to the runoff was far from assured. For much of the campaign, he remained mired in the low single digits, part of a cluster of lower-polling Democrats that party leadership urged to exit the race [15†L42-L44]. But several factors aligned in his favor:

The Swalwell Collapse: U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell had been considered a frontrunner until April, when he dropped out following allegations of sexual assault and misconduct — claims he has denied. Swalwell’s departure scrambled the race and created an opening for establishment Democrats to coalesce around a single alternative [11†L35-L38].

Experience as a Differentiator: In a field of more than 60 candidates, Becerra leaned heavily on his 35-plus years in public office — as a 12-term member of Congress, California attorney general, and U.S. Health and Human Services secretary [11†L24-L27]. This experience distinguished him from less seasoned competitors.

Anti-Trump Credentials: As California attorney general, Becerra filed more than 120 legal actions against the first Trump administration on issues ranging from immigration to climate policy [11†L38-L42]. That record resonated with Democratic primary voters seeking a governor willing to challenge Trump.

Campaign Message: Becerra has positioned himself as the “health-care governor,” an issue he has emphasized throughout his career [6†L38-L40]. He has proposed to maintain continuity with much of Newsom’s policy framework rather than major departures [15†L52-L54].

What’s at Stake for California

The 2026 gubernatorial election arrives at a consequential moment for the nation’s most populous state. California faces mounting challenges: a crushing cost of living, nation-topping gas prices, wildfire risks that have driven insurance companies out of the state, an unstable budget, impending federal cuts to the state’s expansive health system, and an economy dampened by immigration enforcement [15†L48-L51].

Becerra has so far avoided proposing major policy departures from Newsom’s two terms. Instead, he has emphasized his readiness to “lead the fight to uphold California’s promise to make sure we have the governance worthy of our gifts” [11†L28-L30].

Conclusion

Xavier Becerra’s advancement to the November runoff represents one of the most remarkable political comebacks in recent California history. From a single-digit also-ran just months ago to the first candidate to secure a spot in the general election, Becerra has demonstrated that in California’s unconventional political environment, the race is never over until the last ballot is counted.

The stakes could not be higher. The outcome will determine whether California elects its first Latino governor in the modern era — and whether the state will continue on the progressive path charted by Newsom or shift in a new direction.