Trump-endorsed Fox News host Steve Hilton will likely face off against Xavier Becerra this November, leaving California conservatives hopeful that they have a shot at the first Republican governor in over a decade.
California’s top-two primary system advances the two highest vote-getters to the November general election regardless of party affiliation.
After months of waiting for the June 2 election, with 60% of ballots counted as of Friday, Hilton led the field with 27.2% of the vote, while Becerra held on to the second-place position with 26%, according to The Associated Press.
Tom Steyer sat in third place with 20.2%, followed by Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco at 11.2%, and Democrat Katie Porter, who had just 4.5% of the vote.
With plenty of mail-in ballots still uncounted, however, it could be weeks before voters find out which two candidates will face off in the general election.
Becerra entered the race touting his experience as a member of Congress and as former secretary of Health and Human Services, campaigning on fighting the Trump administration, protecting immigrants, and increasing health care coverage.
Hilton campaigned heavily with working-class Californians, arguing that the Golden State’s affordability challenges, homelessness crisis, and sanctuary state policies demonstrate the need for a different direction in Sacramento.
Onstage at his election night party in Huntington Beach, Hilton shared his hope for California.
“It looks very much as if Californians really will have the chance to vote for change in November … and take our state in a new direction—a fresh start for our state, which is long overdue,” Hilton said. “Whether you voted for me or not, I am here for you.”
Becerra appeared confident that he had secured a top-two finish during remarks to supporters on election night as well.
“We will not be bought, we will not back down—November, here we come,” he said.
For Republicans, early vote results give hope that they can take their message directly to voters in a state where Democrats have dominated statewide offices for more than a decade.
