Becerra advances in California governor's race, CBS News projects
CBS News projects that Democratic former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has advanced in the primary for the 2026 California governor's race. A second candidate in the race has not yet been projected to advance.
Jun 5, 7:57 PM(23 days ago)·7m read13 sources
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CBS News projects that Democratic former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has advanced in the primary for the 2026 California governor's race. A second candidate in the race has not yet been projected to advance.
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CBS News projects that Democratic former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has advanced in the primary for the 2026 California governor's race. A second candidate in the race has not yet been projected to advance. California elections operate under a top-two primary system, meaning that the two candidates with the most votes will face off in November's general election.
The race to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom remained close throughout the week between Becerra, Republican candidate Steve Hilton, and Democratic candidate and billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer. While Steyer gained some ground with more ballot drops throughout the week, it was Hilton and Becerra who held the top two spots in the race since the polls closed in California on June 2.
Hilton remained at the top of the field throughout the vote count until Friday's ballot drops were released, which resulted in Becerra overtaking the top spot in the race. Becerra notably gained a significant boost in the race after former Rep. Eric Swalwell's exit in April.
" California's vote-counting process has faced criticism from some Republicans, including President Donald Trump, who has questioned the pace of ballot counting without providing evidence of wrongdoing. State and local election officials have defended the process, noting that all ballots are subject to the same verification requirements regardless of when they are received.
The governor's race attracted a diverse field of candidates from politics, business and media, reflecting what many viewed as one of the state's most competitive open-seat contests in years. Pre-election polling suggested no candidate had established a dominant lead.
Surveys conducted before Election Day consistently showed large numbers of undecided voters, while Hilton, Becerra and Steyer generally occupied the top tier of the field. Several high-profile candidates saw their campaigns come to an end shortly after polls closed Tuesday.
Former Orange County Rep. Katie Porter, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa each acknowledged they would not become California's next governor. Other notable candidates included State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, a Democrat, and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican.
California voters have elected Democratic governors since 2010, when former Gov. Jerry Brown succeeded former Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who reached his term limit. The state's affordability crisis remained a dominant issue throughout the campaign.
" The same survey found widespread skepticism about economic opportunity in the state, with just 7% of registered voters saying the "California Dream" remains attainable today and 64% said they were not confident it is still within reach.
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[The New York Times] Xavier Becerra Advances in California Governor Race Mr. Becerra was long dismissed in the contest until the abrupt departure of Eric Swalwell created a surprise path for an experienced Democrat.
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[The New Yorker] California Primary-Election Results: Xavier Becerra Advances The former federal health official and state attorney general will be one of two gubernatorial candidates in November. In the Los Angeles mayoral primary, the incumbent Karen Bass moves on to the general election as well.
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[New York Post] Xavier Becerra advances to November runoff in California governor’s race Former Biden cabinet member Xavier Becerra is headed for a November showdown after making his way into the top tier of California’s gubernatorial primary, according to the Associated Press.
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[Just the News] Becerra advances to November general election for California governor: AP The AP called the first slot for Becerra, who secured 26.7% of the vote as of publishing time, compared to Republican Steve Hilton, who is trailing in second with 26.4% of the vote and 66% of the total ballots counted.
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[The Guardian] Xavier Becerra advances in California’s hotly contested governor’s race <p>Becerra advanced to the general election after emerging from California’s crowded primary field in the race to succeed Gavin Newsom</p><p>Xavier Becerra has 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 turbulent campaign seasons in recent memory.</p><p>Election officials are continuing to count ballots to determine whether he will face fellow Democrat Tom Steyer, the environmental activist who championed progressive policies like universal healthcare and more taxes on billionaires like himself, or Republican Steve Hilton, the former UK political operative turned Fox News personality who was endorsed by Donald Trump, in the fall.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/05/xavier-becerra-california-governor-primary-election-result">Continue reading...</a>
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[CalMatters] Democrat Xavier Becerra advances to November race for California governor After a heated race with a crowd of Democratic candidates, Xavier Becerra pulled ahead of rival Republican Steve Hilton in election results returned Friday. Becerra's challenger is not known yet.
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[nypost.com] Xavier Becerra advances to November runoff in California governor’s race Former Biden cabinet member Xavier Becerra is headed to the runoff in November of the California governor's race.
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[@AP] BREAKING: Former U.S. BREAKING: Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and Democrat Xavier Becerra has advanced to the general election for California governor.
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[The New York Times] Xavier Becerra Advances in California Governor Race Mr. Becerra was long dismissed in the contest until the abrupt departure of Eric Swalwell created a surprise path for an experienced Democrat.
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[Fox News] Former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra advances to California governor general election, AP projects The Associated Press projected former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra will advance to California&apos;s general election for governor after calling the race Friday.
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[Just the News] Becerra advances to November general election for California governor: AP The AP called the first slot for Becerra, who secured 26.7% of the vote as of publishing time, compared to Republican Steve Hilton, who is trailing in second with 26.4% of the vote and 66% of the total ballots counted.
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[The Guardian] Xavier Becerra advances in California’s hotly contested governor’s race <p>Becerra advanced to the general election after emerging from California’s crowded primary field in the race to succeed Gavin Newsom</p><p>Xavier Becerra has 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 turbulent campaign seasons in recent memory.</p><p>Election officials are continuing to count ballots to determine whether he will face fellow Democrat Tom Steyer, the environmental activist who championed progressive policies like universal healthcare and more taxes on billionaires like himself, or Republican Steve Hilton, the former UK political operative turned Fox News personality who was endorsed by Donald Trump, in the fall.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/05/xavier-becerra-california-governor-primary-election-result">Continue reading...</a>
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[NPR] Democrat Xavier Becerra wins the top spot in November's race for California governor Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has clinched the top spot on California's ballot for governor. With millions of ballots still to be counted, his November challenger is unknown.
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[CBS News] Becerra advances in California governor's race, CBS News projects Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, a Democrat, will advance to the November election in the California governor's race, CBS News projects. A second candidate in the race has not yet been projected to advance.
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[ABC News] Democrat Xavier Becerra advances to general election in Calif. governor's race: AP In the California gubernatorial primary, Democrat Xavier Becerra will advance to the general election, the Associated Press projects.
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[CalMatters] Democrat Xavier Becerra advances to November race for California governor After a heated race with a crowd of Democratic candidates, Xavier Becerra pulled ahead of rival Republican Steve Hilton in election results returned Friday. Becerra's challenger is not known yet.
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[@AP] BREAKING: Former U.S. BREAKING: Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and Democrat Xavier Becerra has advanced to the general election for California governor.
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[@DailyCaller] 🚨 Former Biden Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has secured enough votes to ad... 🚨 Former Biden Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has secured enough votes to advance to California's gubernatorial general election, according to the Associated Press.
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[The Guardian] Xavier Becerra advances in California’s hotly contested governor’s race Xavier Becerra has 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 turbulent campaign seasons in recent memory. Election officials are con... [4640 chars]
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[NBC News] Democrat Xavier Becerra advances to general election in California governor’s race Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has advanced to the general election in the California governor’s race, NBC News projects. His opponent in November has yet to be determined. Former Fox News host Steve Hilton, a Republican, a... [3130 chars]
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[Fox News] Former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra advances to California governor general election, AP projects The Associated Press projected former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra will advance to California&apos;s general election for governor after calling the race Friday.
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[NPR] Democrat Xavier Becerra wins the top spot in November's race for California governor Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has clinched the top spot on California's ballot for governor. With millions of ballots still to be counted, his November challenger is unknown.
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[CBS News] Becerra advances in California governor's race, CBS News projects Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, a Democrat, will advance to the November election in the California governor's race, CBS News projects. A second candidate in the race has not yet been projected to advance.
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CBS NewsBecerra advances in California governor's race, CBS News projectsThe New York TimesXavier Becerra Advances in California Governor RaceThe New YorkerCalifornia Primary-Election Results: Xavier Becerra Advances+10
CBS NewsBecerra advances in California governor's race, CBS News projectsThe New York TimesXavier Becerra Advances in California Governor RaceThe New YorkerCalifornia Primary-Election Results: Xavier Becerra Advances+10
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Graham Platner filed paperwork Friday to withdraw his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in Maine. The Maine Democratic Party has until July 27 at 5 p.m. to select a replacement nominee through a convention of around 600 delegates.
Graham Platner formally withdrew from the Democratic nomination for Maine's U.S. Senate seat on July 10, 2026. The move came days after sexual assault allegations surfaced and the state Democratic Party withdrew support.
Graham Platner ended his Democratic campaign for the U.S. Senate in Maine on July 10, 2026. Party officials must now hold a convention to select a successor by July 27 under state law.
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