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Democrat Xavier Becerra has defeated Republican candidate Steve Hilton, who was backed by United States President Donald Trump, in California‘s gubernatorial election, according to US media networks.
Partial results showed Becerra leading Hilton by nearly two to one, with about half of the ballots counted.
A former cabinet member under former President Joe Biden, Becerra ran a relatively low-profile campaign in a state where Democrats significantly outnumber Republicans and Trump’s political brand has little appeal.
Becerra will become California’s first elected Latino governor.Â
The state has an economy that would rank as the world’s fourth-largest if it were an independent country.
Addressing supporters at his victory celebration in Sacramento, Becerra declared the start of a new chapter for the state and said his campaign had focused on improving the lives of all Californians, regardless of their political affiliations.
“Ladies and gentlemen, you have now entered the Becerra era,” the former US Health and Human Services secretary told his supporters at a victory party in Sacramento.
“I didn’t run to make history,” he said. “I ran to make a difference for anyone and everyone who calls California home, whether you voted for me or not.”
He will succeed outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom, who cannot seek another term because of term limits. Newsom is widely viewed as a potential Democratic presidential contender in 2028.
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Hilton, a British-born conservative commentator and former adviser to ex-British Prime Minister David Cameron, entered the race as an outsider and faced an uphill battle.
He sought to appeal to voters by promising to draw on what he described as California’s rebellious character to make the state more welcoming to businesses and reduce regulatory restrictions.
However, Hilton acknowledged defeat, suggesting that the wider political climate across the country had made it difficult for a Republican to win the governorship.
