Key facts
- Steve Hilton leads early California governor primary returns with 27.8% of the vote.
- Xavier Becerra is in second place with 25.4% of the vote.
- Tom Steyer is in third place with 19.6% of the vote.
- California's 'jungle primary' system advances the top two vote-getters to the general election.
- President Trump congratulated Steve Hilton on his lead.
- The race has not yet been officially called.
Republican television commentator Steve Hilton and Democratic former cabinet secretary Xavier Becerra maintained their leads in the open primary race for California governor. With all of California's precincts partially reporting, Hilton led with 27.8% of the vote and Becerra had 25.4%, according to official results. Each had more than 1.2 million votes. Democratic billionaire Tom Steyer trailed with 19.6% of the vote. If the results hold, it would set up a classic Democrat versus Republican general election race. California's next governor will succeed term-limited Democrat Gavin Newsom. Becerra is a former state attorney general and U.S. congressman who was secretary of Health and Human Services. Hilton is a British-born former Fox News host endorsed by President Donald Trump. President Trump congratulated Hilton on his lead via Truth Social, though the race has not yet been called by Decision Desk HQ.