Becerra leads Hilton by 26 points in California governor's race
The former HHS secretary is projected to become the state's first Latino governor in 151 years.
By Jabari Long ·
Xavier Becerra is projected to win the California governor's race against Republican Steve Hilton. The Democratic candidate leads by 26 points in early returns from the Tuesday election. Becerra holds 64 percent of the vote to Hilton's 38 percent in the pre-dawn hours of Wednesday.
Becerra, 68, served as the United States secretary of Health and Human Services. He is set to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom. Hilton, a business executive and former Fox News commentator, received the endorsement of President Donald Trump. The Republican candidate ran in a state that has not elected a GOP governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger left office in January 2011.
The result would mark a historic shift for California. Becerra would become the first Latino governor of the state since Romualdo Pacheco. Pacheco assumed the role in 1875 after Governor Newton Booth resigned. Pacheco served for approximately 10 months before leaving the post in December of that year.
Voting patterns reveal a clear geographic divide across the state's 58 counties. Becerra secured strong support in population centers and coastal regions. Hilton found a base of voters in parts of central and northern California. In Los Angeles County, the state's most populous jurisdiction, Becerra leads by a wide margin of 71 percent to 29 percent.
Becerra held a substantial lead in most polls ahead of the election day. Hilton faced a challenging path in a political environment dominated by the Democratic party in recent decades. The final outcome will be determined as remaining ballots are counted and certified by county election officials.
