Steve Hilton challenges Xavier Becerra in California governor race

Summarised from 3 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 3 Nov, 22:16 · Archive

Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra are competing to succeed Gavin Newsom as California governor, with early voting showing high turnout.

Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra are competing to become California's next governor, with voters deciding whether to continue Democratic control or pursue a change in direction. Early voting data shows high turnout across the state as voters also weigh decisions on congressional races and a mayoral contest in Los Angeles.

Hilton, a former Fox News host, has centred his campaign on affordability and governance. He has pledged to lower gas prices to $3 per gallon and address housing costs, homelessness, crime and regulation. At a campaign event in Compton, he emphasised his affordability message to Spanish-speaking voters. However, Hilton has trailed by double digits in recent polls.

Becerra, the Democratic frontrunner, campaigned in the Los Angeles area on Monday, appearing at Homegirl Cafe alongside Mayor Karen Bass. Bass praised Becerra as 'the next governor of California' and noted their work together in the House of Representatives. When asked how he was feeling before the election, Becerra said he was 'very good'.

One outlet argues that California voters face a choice between progress and decline, citing concerns about over-regulation, over-taxation, homelessness, fraud and population loss under 16 years of Democratic rule. The same source characterises Becerra as 'an accidental candidate, a do-nothing, low-energy politico' and describes Hilton as bringing 'a sense of urgency' to the campaign.

Hilton has planned a final campaign rally in Huntington Beach. Election observers anticipate strong nationwide turnout as Democrats seek to retake control of Congress.

How it is being reported

• ‘We need change’: Voters deliver stark verdict on California’s political leadershipThere was one word on the lips of most voters in Los Angeles on election day. Change. “We need a change,” said Alex Escobar, a teacher, who voted in Van Nuys early Tuesday for Republican Steve Hilton for governor. Escobar has voted Democrat in previous elections. “There’s been eight consecutive years of the same. Nothing...New York Post · 4 Nov, 01:56
• Latest on California governor race as Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton face offDemocrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton are facing off in California's race for governor as locals also vote on what would become the country's first billionaire tax. CBS News' Kris Van Cleave breaks it down.CBS News · 3 Nov, 21:58
• Steve Hilton can change California’s direction, while Karen Bass can keep LA from veering far leftCalifornia voters face a clear choice in 2026 between progress and decline. The vast majority of Californians believe the state is on the wrong track. And our problems are clear. We are over-regulated. We are over-taxed. Homelessness is out of control. U.S. Navy Blue Angels fly over San Francisco Bay during the Fleet Week Air...New York Post · 3 Nov, 13:00
• Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton make final push as California early voters show up in force for midterm electionCalifornia governor candidates Steve Hilton and Xavier Becerra made the rounds in the Los Angeles area Monday as voters prepare to render their final verdicts in the Tuesday midterm election. Data shows high early turnout as voters statewide weigh in on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s replacement, the next mayor of Los Angeles and a number of...New York Post · 3 Nov, 00:43
• GIANNO CALDWELL: I fled California. Steve Hilton gives voters golden opportunity to staySteve Hilton's California governor race targets Los Angeles-style decline with bold plans on gas prices, housing and crime across the Golden State.Fox News · 2 Nov, 09:00

In this story: Steve Hilton · Xavier Becerra · Gavin Newsom · Karen Bass · California · Los Angeles

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log