Thursday, June 4, 2026- The 2026 California governor’s race remains intensely competitive and unpredictable following Tuesday’s primary, with Republican commentator Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra leading the field as ballots continue to be counted.
Early returns show Hilton ahead with roughly 27-28% of the vote and Becerra trailing closely with about 25-26%, positioning both to likely advance to the November general election under the state’s top-two system. Billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer is running third with close to 20%, but current vote patterns and statistical math make it unlikely he can overtake either front-runner as remaining mail ballots are tallied.
Hilton has energized conservative voters by promising significant policy departures — from cutting taxes to slashing regulations and boosting domestic energy production — tapping into widespread voter frustration over cost-of-living issues in the state’s economy.
Becerra, a seasoned public official and former federal health secretary, has staked his campaign on steady leadership and defending California’s interests against federal policy shifts, appealing to moderates and long-time Democratic voters alike. Both candidates now appear on track for a showdown that could shape the political direction of the nation’s most populous state.
Steyer’s campaign, despite massive self-funding and early momentum, faces elimination as the vote count progresses, with experts noting he would need a dramatically different ballot outcome to close the gap with Hilton or Becerra.
Hundreds of thousands of ballots remain to be fully tallied, a process that could take days to weeks so the final roster isn’t yet official. But with the current trends and vote-count math working against him, Steyer’s path to the general election looks increasingly narrow, making this a pivotal and historic political moment in California.
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