The 2026 California governor’s race is between Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra and Republican candidate Steve Hilton. The two will compete to replace current termed-out California governor Gavin Newsom.
Xavier Becerra is the former California Attorney General and United States Secretary of Health and Human Services. His campaign priorities include affordable healthcare, fighting Donald Trump, building more affordable housing, lowering costs, increasing clean energy use, disaster preparedness and resilience, benefitting from Artificial Intelligence (AI), combatting homelessness and protecting families and communities from future wildfires, according to his campaign site.
Steve Hilton is a British immigrant and the former director of strategy for former Prime Minister David Cameron. His priorities include his Califordable and Califuture plans. Califordable includes lowerinig gas prices, cutting utility bills, eliminate state income tax on the first $150,000 and building more starter homes for younger families. Califuture includes ensuring children can read by third grade, skills training in schools across the state, busting the $745 billion “job-killer bloat” and abolishing the $800 small business tax, according to his campaign site.
The California Governor’s race has predicted Becerra as the winner.
Xavier Becerra (D): 64.1%
Steve Hilton (R): 35.9%
36% of votes counted