With Gavin Newsom’s term ending this year, California’s 2026 governor primary election is shaping up as a high-stakes clash of promises on affordability, housing, and public safety. Xavier Becerra has advanced to the general election, while Steve Hilton—along
California voters went to the polls in the 2026 primary election with a single question hanging over the state: who will steer California once Governor Gavin Newsom’s term comes to an end this year?
The campaigns have revolved around two big, unresolved crises—affordability and housing—alongside sharper debates about crime and how California should respond after recent disasters. For many residents, it doesn’t feel like a typical political season. It feels like a turning point.
In the Democratic corner. Xavier Becerra has built his pitch around a promise to take on Donald Trump and his policies if elected governor. During his campaign. Becerra alleged that Trump is a “man-made natural disaster attacking Californians every day. ” and he tied that charge to his own record as California’s Attorney General. saying he “sued the Trump Administration more than 120 times” and won what he described as “landmark victories” protecting Obamacare. working Californians. and Dreamers.
Steve Hilton. the Republican in contention. has centered his message on what he calls the fallout of “Democrat one-party rule.” Hilton has warned residents that California is “sadly famous for dystopian scenes of crime. chaos and squalor. ” and he placed the blame for devastation tied to the 2025 Los Angeles County fires on what he calls “staggering incompetence” from Democrats. His campaign also leans on a “make California Golden again” slogan, echoing Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again.”.
Because this is a primary election, there isn’t one declared winner who walks away with the job outright. The next California governor will be determined later—voted for and declared in November 2026 after the general election.
Right now, the story that’s already locked in is this: Becerra has advanced to the general election for governor. His rivals for that next stage come down to Hilton. a former Fox News commentator. and Steyer. a billionaire climate activist. Exactly which one Becerra will face later this year remains unclear.
The campaign road ahead is where everything could still swing. It’s too close to project who will be California’s next governor. and it appears to hinge on what happens between now and the general election—how candidates campaign. and which message persuades state residents that the next term can bring real. positive change once Newsom’s time ends.
The closeness comes with pressure on both sides: Becerra is selling a fight against Trump’s policies backed by his record in court. while Hilton is tying his case to public safety. order. and accountability after the events linked to the 2025 Los Angeles County fires. Whether Steyer becomes the opponent, or Hilton does, will shape how that argument lands with voters as November 2026 approaches.
California governor primary 2026 Gavin Newsom term ends Xavier Becerra Steve Hilton Steyer election updates affordability crisis housing crisis Los Angeles County fires 2025 Trump policies Dreamers Obamacare