{"id":2609458,"date":"2026-06-02T08:59:01","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T12:59:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-governor-primary-hilton-becerra-and-steyer-make-final-pitch\/"},"modified":"2026-06-02T09:02:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T13:02:14","slug":"california-governor-primary-hilton-becerra-and-steyer-make-final-pitch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-governor-primary-hilton-becerra-and-steyer-make-final-pitch\/","title":{"rendered":"California governor primary: Hilton, Becerra and Steyer make final pitch"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcalifornia-governor-primary-hilton-becerra-and-steyer-make-final-pitch%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2609458&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Republican Steve Hilton, long a top name in California\u2019s crowded gubernatorial polling field, says he\u2019s not acting like a clear front-runner. He argues Democrats can\u2019t be taken for granted in the state\u2019s unpredictable race to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom, noting voters and campaigns can still swing late.<\/p>\n<p>The article describes how the Democratic side has also been volatile: early speculation about high-profile entrants largely didn\u2019t materialize, Tom Steyer and then-Rep. Eric Swalwell entered later (with Swalwell falling after allegations of sexual misconduct), and the field remained fractured. A major focus is whether Democrats could suffer a \u201cnightmare\u201d scenario in California\u2019s top-two primary system-perhaps allowing two Republicans into the runoff-given the state\u2019s registration patterns.<\/p>\n<p>Momentum shifted after Donald Trump publicly endorsed Hilton, which strategist Garry South argues helped consolidate Republican support around one candidate rather than splitting it. Around the same time,ex-Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra began gaining traction,changing the dynamics as polling tightened near the top among Hilton,Becerra,and Steyer.<\/p>\n<p>Recent polls cited show Becerra competing for first place, with Hilton and Steyer close behind, tho different surveys vary on who leads. South suggests Becerra is likely to finish first and Hilton and Steyer will contend for second, with Hilton attributing his rise to a \u201cchange\u201d message centered on affordability and dissatisfaction with Newsom and Democratic supermajorities, while denying it\u2019s personal.<\/p>\n<p>Both Becerra and Steyer continue campaigning hard-Becerra emphasizing experience and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >promising swift housing action<\/a>, and criticizing the idea of elections being \u201cbought,\u201d while Steyer defends his large personal spending as a way to compete in a race shaped by wealthy donors and political influence.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>LOS ANGELES \u2014 <\/strong>Republican <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/author\/steve-hilton\/\" type=\"mediapress_author\" id=\"12992\">Steve Hilton<\/a> has been near the top of virtually every statewide poll since entering <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/california\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"60\">California\u2019s<\/a> crowded and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-gubernatorial-hopefuls-contend-with-back-to-back-debates-with-finish-line-in-sight\/\" title=\"California gubernatorial hopefuls contend with back-to-back debates with finish line in sight\">unpredictable gubernatorial race<\/a> a year ago. But he isn\u2019t acting like a front-runner.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe can\u2019t take anything for granted,\u201d he told the <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>just hours before polls opened Tuesday morning. \u201cWe have to act like we are third; we have to fight like we were third. I tell my supporters, \u2018Don\u2019t let this slip away. Don\u2019t take anything for granted.\u2019 So we\u2019re just going full out until the last possible moment to get every vote we can, because you never know in an election.\u201d<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4589166\/nancy-mace-posts-endorsement-photo-trump-after-he-picked-opponent\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Nancy Mace posts endorsement-like photo with Trump after he picked her opponent<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4588911\/los-angeles-mayor-fight-tightens-karen-bass-spencer-pratt-final-pitch\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Fight for Los Angeles mayor tightens up as Karen Bass, Spencer Pratt, and Nithya Raman make final pitch<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4588847\/pratt-rallies-supporters-los-angeles-mayoral-race\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Pratt rallies supporters as Los Angeles mayoral race enters final stretch<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over 60 candidates are running to replace <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gavin-newsom\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1426\">Gov. Gavin Newsom<\/a> (D-CA), who is term-limited and widely expected to launch a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2028-elections\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11676\">2028 presidential bid<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">California Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton speaks during a campaign event on Sunday, May 31, 2026, in Santa Monica, Calif. (AP Photo\/Benjamin Hanson)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Calling California\u2019s marquee race rocky and unpredictable would be an understatement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first candidates launched their campaigns two years ago, but deep-pocketed donors largely stayed on the sidelines, waiting to see who else would enter the race. There was widespread speculation that former <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kamala-harris\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"748\">Vice President Kamala Harris<\/a> would jump in \u2014 something she repeatedly teased \u2014 but she ultimately decided against it in July. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) also had strong name recognition, and many believed the Democratic Party would rally behind him, but he, too, passed. So, too, did billionaire real estate developer Rick Caruso.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Former congresswoman <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/katie-porter\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"10247\">Katie Porter<\/a>, who lost to Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) in last year\u2019s U.S. Senate race, announced her candidacy. But Porter grabbed voters\u2019 attention for the wrong reasons. She made national headlines after nearly storming out of a CBS interview in October, and again after old <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rap-star-sean-diddy-combs-arrested-on-sex-trafficking-charges\/\" title=\"Rap Star Sean &#039;Diddy&#039; Combs Arrested on Sex Trafficking Charges\">footage surfaced showing<\/a> her berating a staffer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A month later, billionaire Tom Steyer and then-Rep. Eric Swalwell, both of whom are Democrats, entered the race. In January, Democratic San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, backed by Silicon Valley donors, also joined the field.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For months, no clear front-runner on the Democratic side emerged. Then Swalwell began to surge. He had established himself in Congress as a de facto leader of the Democratic \u201cResistance\u201d movement against President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> and started gaining ground in an increasingly crowded gubernatorial race. But his abrupt downfall following allegations of sexual assault and misconduct not only derailed what had become the leading campaign, but it also left a significant void just weeks before mail-in ballots were sent out in early May.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As Democrats scrambled, Hilton and Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco, another Republican, began making inroads with voters. Both were consistently near the top of public polls, setting off alarms within the Democratic establishment.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">California gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer, left, walks with Berkeley Mayor Adena Ishii during a campaign event in Berkeley, Calif., Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (AP Photo\/Terry Chea)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After no candidate cleared the 60% endorsement threshold at the state Democratic Party\u2019s convention, some began contemplating a nightmare scenario: a fractured field that would allow two Republicans to claim both spots in the runoff in the deep-blue state. Democrats make up nearly 45% of registered voters, while Republicans account for just over 25%. Independents make up roughly 30% of the electorate. California\u2019s last Republican governor was Arnold Schwarzenegger, who left office in 2011.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the tide shifted after Trump posted on Truth Social that he was endorsing Hilton. Trump reposted his endorsement Monday night.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTrump just outsmarted himself on this one \u2014 if one can use the word smart in conjunction with Trump,\u201d Garry South, a veteran California political strategist, told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> after Trump\u2019s first endorsement. \u201cEndorsing one of the Republicans in the race pretty much assures that that candidate goes up and the other starts to decline with Republican voters who follow Trump\u2019s lead. \u2026 Trump likely just ended Democratic angst about two Republicans ending up in the runoff.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was around that time that former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra began gaining support across the state. Political analysts differ on why his campaign, rather than another Democrat\u2019s, gained momentum, but the race\u2019s dynamics began to shift. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, Hilton, Becerra, and Steyer \u2014 who has climbed back into the race after pouring millions of his own dollars into the contest \u2014 are locked in at the top.\u00a0The most recent poll from McLaughlin &#038; Associates, taken between May 26-28, had Hilton and Steyer locked dead even at 25%, with Becerra trailing at 19%. The most recent Emerson poll, taken from May 27-28, had Becerra in the lead at 28%, with Steyer and Hilton locked at 23%.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">South told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> on Monday that \u201cbased on the latest polling, and a look at the votes that have already been cast, it\u2019s hard to see any outcome other than Becerra finishing first, and Hilton and Steyer fighting it out for second.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIn the end, I think Hilton makes the run-off, the way the Trump endorsement has elevated him above Bianco among Republicans,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hilton said he\u2019s fine with Bianco being squeezed out.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s just obvious,\u00a0looking at the numbers, that there\u2019s only one candidate now that can make it into the top two that represents change, and that\u2019s me,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is why we hate this whole top two system, because it ends up with these endless conversations about tactics and poll numbers and who\u2019s up and who\u2019s down, rather than actually debating the issues, but whatever. We\u2019ve got this system. We\u2019ve got to win with this system.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hilton, whose campaign has focused heavily on affordability, argues that California\u2019s problems stem from Newsom and Democratic supermajorities in Sacramento. He said his campaign\u2019s success is evidence that voters are clamoring for change. And despite constantly bashing Newsom, he insists it\u2019s nothing personal. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe actually have friends in common,\u201d he told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cI\u2019ve actually known him for years.\u00a0You\u00a0can have a personal relationship with someone without necessarily agreeing with what they do as a politician, and that\u2019s how I see Gavin Newsom. It\u2019s not personal; I just think he\u2019s done a terrible job, and we need change.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Like Hilton, Becerra, and Steyer have also been traveling across California, trying to court voters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At a Sunday rally in Long Beach, Becerra told a packed crowd\u00a0of about labor\u00a0union members and immigrants that he was the steady hand in the race and would stand up to Trump on their behalf.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 68-year-old Sacramento resident brings decades of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mcauliffe-linked-law-firm-billed-700-an-hour-fighting-parents-of-special-needs-children\/\" title=\"McAuliffe-Linked Law Firm Billed 0 An Hour Fighting Parents Of Special-Needs Children\">public service experience<\/a> to the race. His resume includes a stint in the California Assembly, 24 years representing Los Angeles in Congress, serving as the state\u2019s attorney general, and holding a Cabinet role in the Biden administration.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI am not learning this job on Day One,\u201d he said at the rally. \u201cI have done this job. \u2026On housing, on\u00a0my first day as governor, I will declare California\u2019s housing shortage a state of emergency. Right now, there are nearly 40,000 affordable housing units sitting shovel-ready to be built. Right now, they\u2019re just waiting for funding.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Becerra also made a snide remark at Steyer, his billionaire Democratic opponent, telling the amped up crowd that a vote for Becerra would prove that California\u2019s election cannot be bought. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra thanks Amy Perez for her support as he passes out cookies at the Planned Parenthood headquarters in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, June 1, 2026. (AP Photo\/Rich Pedroncelli)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4588596\/california-primary-races-governor-mayor\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4588596\">CALIFORNIA PRIMARY RACES TO WATCH AS 61 CANDIDATES SEEK GOVERNOR\u2019S MANSION<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Steyer\u00a0spent his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nasa-nears-second-attempt-to-launch-artemis-moon-rocket-on-debut-test-flight\/\" title=\"NASA nears second attempt to launch Artemis moon rocket on debut test flight\">final full day<\/a> of campaigning in Westwood, speaking with students at UCLA, and\u00a0faced questions about spending $200 million of his own money in this campaign.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou\u2019re right. My first name for the last year has been billionaire, and a lot of people are very offended by that, and I understand that,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m the only billionaire on the ballot, but not the only billionaire in this race, because there are a lot of billionaires who think they know how to make this race turn out the way they want it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>LOS ANGELES &#8211; Republican Steve Hilton leads many polls, but urges voters not to assume victory<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2646,"featured_media":2609459,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/california-governor-preview-e1780398452124.jpg?1780384047&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[24665,4045,80675,16446,80676],"class_list":["post-2609458","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-becerra","tag-california","tag-governor-primary","tag-hilton","tag-steyer"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/california-governor-preview-e1780398452124.jpg?1780384047&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2609458","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2646"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2609458"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2609458\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2609466,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2609458\/revisions\/2609466"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2609459"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2609458"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2609458"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2609458"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}