Becerra elected California governor; Bonta reelected AG

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(The Center Square) – Xavier Becerra was elected governor of California Tuesday.

With 75.8% of precincts partially reporting, Becerra has 4,446,976 votes or 64.6%, compared to Republican Steve Hilton’s 2,440,639 votes or 35.4%. 

The numbers came at 11:30 p.m. Pacific time from the Secretary of State’s Office, which showed Democrats also won other executive branch races, including attorney general.

Becerra claimed victory, putting out messages on social media saying "Xavier Becerra Elected Governor of California." Another message says "Gracias, California."

Speaking to supporters Tuesday evening, Becerra, who is succeeding termed-out Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, said the last two years of the Trump administration have been difficult.

“Higher prices, more wars, corruption and lawlessness, but we hung in there and fought back,” said Becerra. “It felt like 'Mission Impossible.' We knew it was Mission Necessary. And tonight, sisters and brothers, because of your tireless work, we can proudly utter the inspiring battle cry of our beloved and departed sister and warrior, Dolores Huerta: '¡Sí se puede!' Yes, we can.”

Becerra is a former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary, California attorney general and U.S. House member.

On the campaign trail and in debates, Becerra pointed to President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Hilton as bad for California, adding that Hilton would do the president’s bidding on issues such as taxes and immigration.

Hilton said years of Democratic rule in Sacramento have made life difficult for people in the Golden State. Hilton also accused Becerra of “hiding” from voters.

In a speech to his supporters, Hilton thanked people for their votes.

“It looks like we didn’t win this time,” said Hilton. “People in this state are crying out for change, and it is our responsibility to fight like never before to bring that change for people who really need us now more than ever, so change may be delayed, but change is coming.”

Attorney general

In the race for California attorney general, Rob Bonta defeated Michael Gates.

With 44.5% of precincts partially reporting, Bonta has 4,375,479 votes or 64.3% compared to 2,427,162 or 35.7% for Gates. Again, that was at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday with 75.8% of precincts partially reporting.

Bonta, the Democratic incumbent, has campaigned on being a law-and-order attorney general, pointing to many fraud busts since he was elected in November 2022. He has also sued the Trump administration 100 times since President Trump re-entered office in January 2025. Bonta has portrayed himself as being a consumer-friendly attorney general, with lawsuits against big companies including Paramount Skydance for its plans to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. Paramount settled out of court, something Bonta and other attorneys general involved say they helped get for the people of their states.

Bonta’s campaign did not respond to The Center Square’s requests for interviews or comments.

A lifelong resident of California, Gates is a former deputy U.S. attorney. He is also a former city attorney for Huntington Beach. While there, Gates said he was tough on crime.

“I've made Huntington Beach one of the top 10 safest cities in the entire state of California out of nearly 500 cities,” Gates told The Center Square in May 2026. “We're in the top 1% of safest cities in the state of California because of my tough-on-crime stance and my prosecution efforts here in the city, basically not putting up with anything and enforcing the law to the fullest extent.” 

Other executive branch races

Down the ballot, Democrat Eleni Kounalakis was leading Republican Jennifer Hawks for state treasurer.

With 48.9% of precincts partially reporting, Kounalakis, the current lieutenant governor, had 3,724,917 or 64.6% of the vote compared to 2,040,807 or 35.4% for Hawks.

Kounalakis has a background in housing and finance.  Hawks is a retired business executive.

In the race for controller, Democrat Malia Cohen has 3,713,242 or 64.4% of the vote compared to 2,054,399 or 35.6% for Republican Herb Morgan.

This is with 48.9% of precincts partially reporting.

For secretary of state, Democratic incumbent Shirley Weber was ahead with 3,779,730 or 65.3% of the vote while Republican Donald Wagner has 34.7%. This is with 48.9% of precincts partially reporting.

Lastly, the race for insurance commissioner featured an all-Democratic, neck-to-neck matchup between candidates Ben Allen and Jane Kim.  With 48.9% of precincts partially reporting, Kim has 2,575,323 or 51.5% of the vote. Ben Allen has 2,428,296 or 48.5%.