Within the California gubernatorial race, Democrat Xavier Becerra will advance to the overall election, the Related Press tasks.
The AP has not but projected which candidate Becerra will face.
As of Friday night with about 66% of the anticipated vote counted, Becerra, the previous secretary of Well being and Human Providers within the Biden administration, had about 26.7% of the vote, in line with the AP tally.
Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra speaks on election night time for the 2026 California gubernatorial main at his election night time watch social gathering, in Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 2, 2026. REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci
Aude Guerrucci/Reuters
Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox Information host, adopted with 26.4% of the vote. Democrat Tom Steyer, an activist and billionaire, had 21% of the vote.
California hosts non-partisan primaries, which implies all candidates are listed on one main poll and the highest two candidates advance to the overall election, no matter social gathering affiliation.
“The folks of the good state of California, within the best nation on earth, have spoken — loudly and proudly,” Becerra mentioned in a press release. “We won’t be purchased. We won’t be bullied. And we’re by no means backing down. November, right here we come.”

California Republican Gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton speaks to supporters at his main night time occasion on June 2, 2026 in Huntington Seaside, California.
Mario Tama/Getty Photographs
Becerra, a former state legal professional normal, congressman and state lawmaker, unexpectedly gained momentum in current weeks, particularly after former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s exit from the race amid allegations of sexual assault.
Becerra would additionally grow to be the primary Latino to win a serious social gathering gubernatorial main in California, in line with his marketing campaign. If elected governor, he could be the state’s second Latino governor, after Romualdo Pacheco, who held the workplace for 10 months in 1875.
His workforce celebrated his projected win within the main as “a breakthrough that displays each the demographic transformation of California and the enduring energy of a politics rooted in working folks and underrepresented communities.”

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 02: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer speaks throughout an election night time watch social gathering on June 2, 2026 in San Francisco, California. Steyer is in a good nonpartisan race with fellow Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton to fill the term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Minh Connors/Getty Photographs
On the marketing campaign path, Becerra was on the receiving finish of a number of assaults from his opponents in current debates when requested about his dealing with of a rise in unaccompanied migrant children throughout his time as HHS secretary. He has referred to as these criticisms a “MAGA speaking level.”
In the costliest governor’s race on document, the California gubernatorial main election has now seen $327.6 million on advert spending and reservations, per AdImpact. Steyer shouldered 63% of that complete sum.
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