Xavier Becerra advances in California’s hotly contested governor’s race | California
Xavier Becerra advanced to the November general election in California’s gubernatorial race, cementing a stunning come-from-behind primary victory in one of California’s most tumultuous campaign seasons in recent memory.
Election officials are still counting votes to determine whether he will face Democrat Tom Steyer, an environmental activist who advocates progressive policies like universal health care and more taxes on billionaires like himself, or Republican Steve Hilton, a former UK political operative turned Fox News personality in the fall.
“The people of the great state of California, in the greatest nation on earth, spoke loudly and proudly,” Becerra said in a statement after The Associated Press reported that he had won one of two seats in the general election. “We will not be bought. We will not be bullied. And we will never back down. November, here we come.”
Becerra’s advance in the nation’s largest Democratic stronghold was, in his words, a “Hollywood ending” that few expected. Just months ago, the former California attorney general and U.S. health secretary, who was stuck at 3 percent in the polls, had faced pressure from his own party to drop out of the contest to allow voters to unite behind a more viable candidate. “The oppressor remains in the fight,” an ebullient Becerra told supporters at his election night party Tuesday, as early results showed him a good chance of finishing in the top two in the primary. If elected in November, he would be California’s first Latino governor since 1875.
Despite ongoing counting and the strong expectation that so-called “late mail” votes would favor Democrats, Donald Trump prematurely declared Hilton the winner and accused the state of rigging the election without any evidence.
“We don’t want our elections to be rigged. You see it in California. These numbers are dropping rapidly. Last night they found a surprisingly large number of mail-in ballots. We don’t want that,” Trump said in his speech in the Oval Office on Thursday.
On Friday, the U.S. justice department sent a federal prosecutor to observe voting proceedings in Los Angeles, while a Trump-appointed assistant U.S. attorney said his office was conducting “multiple election fraud investigations.”
Hilton jumped out to an early lead on election night as preliminary results started coming in. But this year, many Democrats said they waited until the final days to vote, weighing their options and considering how their votes could affect the results in primaries that once pitted two Republicans in the general election. Many of those votes were still being counted as of Friday evening.
Hilton stopped short of declaring victory earlier this week, saying, “Change is coming, and the campaign for change begins today.”
The uncertainty reflects the interesting nature of California’s primary election system; Here, the two names with the most votes go to the general elections, regardless of political party.
Any Republican faces an uphill statewide battle in California. Democrats control nearly all levels of government and have a nearly two-to-one voter registration advantage. But running with Trump’s support in a state where the president is widely unpopular makes the path forward for Hilton even more fraught.
By contrast, a contest between Becerra and Steyer would ensure a Democrat in the governor’s mansion and set the stage for a protracted and costly debate between two dueling visions of the party’s future.
Steyer spent more than $200 million of his personal fortune covering up coverage in the primary; while also trying to capitalize on voter frustration and anger over housing costs, homelessness, and public safety. In recent weeks, Steyer and Becerra have engaged in a bitter feud over their qualifications, experience and platforms.
For much of the election season, the competition for the state’s top office was unusually fluid. A wide field of Democrats vied to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited, has no heir apparent, and high-profile figures like Kamala Harris and Sen. Alex Padilla have taken up the offer.
While Democrat Eric Swalwell was gaining traction, his campaign collapsed amid allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, which he denies. Swalwell ended his gubernatorial campaign and resigned from Congress.
After that shock, it was Becerra who unexpectedly but steadily consolidated support among Democratic voters as the campaign entered its final weeks. Despite missteps, including a viral clip in which he tried to direct a TV reporter’s interview: “This isn’t a ‘gotcha’ piece, is it?” – and Becerra has continued to rise amid criticism from former Biden administration officials who questioned his record and management style and scrutiny over his stance on single-payer healthcare.
