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Californians are set to choose a successor to term-limited Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in a November race that pairs Republican Steve Hilton against Democratic Xavier Becerra. Hilton advanced as the lone surviving Republican in California\u2019s top-two primary, while Becerra emerged from a crowded Democratic field. <\/p>\n

The Associated Press projected Hilton secured the final nomination spot after Becerra had already been projected, with the state still finalizing ballot counts more than a week after the primary. The article describes the matchup as an unusual statewide Democrat-versus-Republican contest in a state long dominated<\/a> by democrats, noting a close vote difference<\/a> of fewer than 20,000 statewide.It also says billionaire Tom Steyer and former Rep.Katie Porter failed to reach the general election, and that Hilton\u2019s campaign argues California\u2019s problems stem from decades of Democratic leadership. <\/p>\n