{"id":2609913,"date":"2026-06-03T06:05:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T10:05:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hilton-becerra-steyer-in-early-lead-in-california-governors-race-as-vote-count-continues\/"},"modified":"2026-06-03T06:07:01","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T10:07:01","slug":"hilton-becerra-steyer-in-early-lead-in-california-governors-race-as-vote-count-continues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hilton-becerra-steyer-in-early-lead-in-california-governors-race-as-vote-count-continues\/","title":{"rendered":"Hilton, Becerra, Steyer in early lead in California governor&#8217;s race as vote count continues"},"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\">28<\/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%2Fhilton-becerra-steyer-in-early-lead-in-california-governors-race-as-vote-count-continues%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=2609913&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>Hilton, the Republican endorsed by Donald Trump, celebrated early election-night results for the California governor\u2019s race at a Huntington Beach hotel by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/drag-queen-invited-to-biden-white-house-once-performed-for-a-2-year-old-boy-the-kids-are-out-to-sing-and-suck-d\/\" title=\"Drag Queen Invited To Biden White House Once Performed For A 2-Year-Old Boy: \u2018The Kids Are Out To Sing And Suck D!\u2019\">briefly drawing attention<\/a> to a suit jacket lined with the American flag and the California flag. He told supporters that \u201cthe fight really starts tomorrow,\u201d framed his win as evidence of voters seeking change over career politicians, and pledged to represent all Californians regardless of party.<\/p>\n<p>Early returns also showed Democrat Xavier Becerra performing strongly, with climate activist Tom Steyer in third. As california uses a top-two all-party primary system, the top two vote-getters-if no one reaches 50%-will advance to a Nov. 3 runoff.Democrats had feared the field could split in a way that would send two Republicans forward, but Becerra told supporters his campaign was on track.<\/p>\n<p>The article notes Becerra\u2019s long public-service background and his stated plans, including declaring a housing shortage a state of emergency on day one if elected governor. Steyer urged patience as votes continue to be counted, while other leading contenders such as Chad Bianco were also mentioned.  <\/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>HUNTINGTON BEACH, California<\/strong> \u2014 Republican gubernatorial candidate <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4554414\/becerra-hilton-tied-california-gubernatorial-poll\/\">Steve Hilton<\/a> whipped a standing-room-only <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/thomas-massie-could-run-for-president\/\" title=\"Thomas Massie could run for president\">election-night crowd<\/a> into a frenzy when he revealed the lining of his suit jacket, emblazoned with the American flag on one side and the California flag on the other.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hilton, who was endorsed by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">President Donald Trump<\/a>, took the stage shortly after 10 p.m. as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/affordability-looms-large-over-four-pivotal-pennsylvania-house-contests\/\" title=\"Affordability looms large over four pivotal Pennsylvania House contests\">early returns showed<\/a> him leading in the governor\u2019s race. Democrat <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/xavier-becerra\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1719\">Xavier Becerra <\/a>also had a strong showing, while billionaire climate activist <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tom-steyer\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2792\">Tom Steyer<\/a> seemed to be in third place.<\/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\/4590404\/california-results-22nd-congressional-district-primary-valadao-bains-villegas\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>California 22nd Congressional district primary results: Rep. David Valadao advances to runoff<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4590404\/california-22nd-congressional-district-primary-results-valadao-bains-villegas\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>California 22nd Congressional district primary results: Rep. David Valadao advances to runoff<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4590847\/los-angeles-addicted-failure-guy-benson\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Los Angeles \u2018addicted to failure\u2019: Guy Benson on LA mayoral race<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Steve Hilton bumper stickers and flags from his election watch party on Tuesday night. (Photo: Barnini Chakraborty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Surrounded by yellow-and-blue balloons and signs reading \u201cChange is coming!,\u201d Hilton thanked voters for propelling his first political campaign. Speaking to supporters gathered at the Hilton hotel in Huntington Beach, Hilton declared that \u201cthe fight really starts tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAs someone who is a new American citizen, so proud to be an American, so proud to be a Californian, what an incredible honor,\u201d he said. \u201cThe first time I have run for office, over a million people and rising have voted for me to take this incredible state in a new direction.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hilton also pledged to represent Californians regardless of whether they supported his candidacy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI am here for you,\u201d he told the cheering crowd. \u201cFor every single one of you because it\u2019s the greatest honor of my life to stand before you \u2026 more than one million Californians have put their faith in me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Drawing parallels to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/spencer-pratt\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"22652\">Spencer Pratt\u2019s <\/a>strong showing in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/los-angeles\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1221\">Los Angeles <\/a>mayoral race, Hilton argued that voters were embracing political outsiders over career politicians and sending a message to the state\u2019s governing establishment. Pratt, like Hilton, has never run for public office.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hilton was one of 61 candidates competing in the governor\u2019s race 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 2028 presidential bid. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">California uses an all-party primary system. If no candidate clears 50%, the top two finishers, regardless of party, advance to a Nov. 3 runoff. It had been a nightmare scenario for Democrats in the deep-blue state, who feared for weeks that a fractured field could allow two Republicans, Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, to claim both spots. Democrats make up nearly 45% of registered voters, while Republicans are just over 25%, effectively relegating the GOP to third-party status in a state where independents make up about 30% of the electorate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">California\u2019s last Republican governor was Arnold Schwarzenegger, who left office in 2011. Hilton said it was Schwarzenegger who told him to get the double-flagged jacket. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hilton, whose campaign has focused heavily on affordability, has repeatedly said 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 something different. And despite constantly bashing Newsom, he insisted 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. You can 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\">While the results of the primary race could take days or weeks to finalize, Becerra told supporters at his election watch party in downtown Los Angeles that he believed he would be one of the two candidates advancing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cLike my parents, I never gave up \u2026 and thankfully neither did you,\u201d he said. \u201cWhile I take nothing for granted, [and] there are lots of ballots left to be counted, it appears that we are on track to advance to November.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 68-year-old Sacramento resident has brought 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 ...ing 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 Becerra said at a packed Sunday rally in Long Beach. \u201cI have done this job. \u2026On housing, on my first day as governor, I will declare California\u2019s housing shortage a state of emergency. Right now, there are nearly 40,<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >000 affordable housing units sitting shovel-ready<\/a> to be built. Right now, they\u2019re just waiting for funding.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Steyer, a Democrat who has poured millions of dollars into the race, told his supporters that the race wasn\u2019t over and urged them to remain patient as the statewide vote is counted.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4590425\/california-results-11th-district-primary-wiener-chakrabarti-chan-pelosi\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4590425\">CALIFORNIA 11TH DISTRICT PRIMARY RESULTS: WIENER ADVANCES TO GENERAL ELECTION TO SUCCEED PELOSI<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other top candidates in the race included Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and Democrats Katie Porter, a former congresswoman, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Porter, Mahan, and Villaraigosa conceded the contest Tuesday night.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Steve Hilton stuns voters by showing double-flag suit at election watch party<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2646,"featured_media":2609914,"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\/image-collage-ndtd4nuh3-1780478877695-e1780478968607.jpg?1780464522&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[24665,71370,32321,16446,80676],"class_list":["post-2609913","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-becerra","tag-california-gubernatorial-race","tag-election-results","tag-hilton","tag-steyer"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-collage-ndtd4nuh3-1780478877695-e1780478968607.jpg?1780464522&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2609913","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=2609913"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2609913\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2609917,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2609913\/revisions\/2609917"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2609914"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2609913"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2609913"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2609913"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}