Becerra advances to general election in race for California governor

Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra secured his spot in the November general election for California governor.

At 5 p.m. on June 5, the Associated Press called one winner in the race, making Becerra the first candidate to move on to the November election.

For days, Becerra had been trailing closely behind Steve Hilton until he ultimately passed the Republican with 26.7% of the votes counted at the time (66%).

AP has not yet called who will head to the runoff with Becerra. With 66% of ballots counted, Hilton is currently coming in second with 26.4% of early returns. Democrat Tom Steyer is close behind with 21%.

Becerra, California’s former attorney general and former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary under the Biden administration could stand to be California’s first Latino governor since 1875. His secured spot in the general election makes Becerra the first Latino to win a major-party gubernatorial primary in California.

“In November, Becerra will carry that mandate into a general election contest that will define California’s future,” the Becerra campaign said in a statement shortly after 5 p.m. Friday.

After spending months near the bottom of the polls, Becerra ultimately broke through following the former U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell’s departure from the race after sexual assault allegations were made against him.

Since mid-May, Becerra had been competing with Republican Steve Hilton for the top spot in the polls.

Voto Latino, a civic advocacy organization dedicated to empowering the next generation of Latino voters, quickly congratulated Becerra on his win.

“California has made history,” said Executive Director Beatriz Lopez. “Becerra’s advancement to the general election is a defining moment both for the state, and for the millions of Latino families who have been instrumental in shaping the state’s future.”

Making up roughly one-third of the state’s voters, Latinos have emerged as a powerful voting bloc critical for any statewide campaign. Becerra often campaigned with “tío Xavier” and “sí se puede” slogans.