Trump-Backed Upset Brewing In California?

A Trump-backed Republican just cracked open the door to the California governor’s mansion — and the left is already panicking.

Story Snapshot

Steve Hilton, a Republican backed by President Trump, advanced to the November general election for California governor after finishing in the top two of the June primary.
Hilton will face Democrat Xavier Becerra, California’s former attorney general and former Biden administration Health and Human Services Secretary, in the November runoff.
Hilton led the field in early vote counts, pulling around 26–28% before final tallies settled the order of finish.
Billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer failed to advance, and his concession included a warning that a Hilton win would be “a travesty.”

Hilton Punches His Ticket to November

Republican Steve Hilton secured one of the top two spots in California’s June 2 gubernatorial primary, sending him to the November general election. Decision Desk HQ projected Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra as the top two finishers, with Becerra finishing above 27% and Hilton close behind at roughly 25%. The Associated Press and NBC News confirmed both candidates had advanced. Hilton, a former Fox News host, will now face Becerra one-on-one in the fall. ^[1]^[8]

Early vote returns actually showed Hilton leading the pack. With 57% of ballots counted, Hilton held 27% while Becerra sat at 26%. Hilton’s lead narrowed as more mail ballots came in — a familiar pattern in California’s slow-count elections. Still, finishing in the top two of a crowded field in one of the most Democratic states in the country is a real achievement for any Republican. ^[3]^[5]

Steyer Falls Short — and Sounds the Alarm

Billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer spent heavily to break into the top two but fell short. After the results became clear, Steyer conceded and warned voters that a Hilton governorship would be “a travesty.” That kind of reaction from the left tells you something. When Democrats start using words like “travesty” about a Republican simply making it to the general election ballot, it shows how rattled they are by the idea of real competition in California. ^[11]

Steyer’s exit clears the Democratic lane entirely for Becerra. That means Democrat donors, labor unions, and party allies will now pour all their resources into defeating Hilton in November. Politico noted that California’s heavily Democratic voter registration makes Becerra the strong favorite. But favorites lose when voters are fed up — and Californians have plenty of reasons to be fed up after years of rising crime, homelessness, and sky-high costs. ^[11]

What Hilton Is Up Against — and Why It Still Matters

Becerra brings name recognition and political experience to the race. He served as California’s attorney general and as Health and Human Services Secretary under President Biden. His supporters point to that record as proof he can run a large government operation. But many Californians remember his tenure as part of the same failed establishment that drove up costs, weakened border enforcement, and pushed left-wing policies on the state. ^[7]^[2]

Steve Hilton projected to advance in California governor race, joining Xavier Becerra https://t.co/WK1JtFQilS

— Redlands Daily Facts (@RedlandsNews) June 10, 2026

Hilton’s path to victory is steep but not impossible. California’s top-two primary system means one Republican and one Democrat can advance regardless of party registration numbers — and that’s exactly what happened here. Voters who are tired of one-party rule now have a clear choice in November. A Hilton win would send a powerful message that even deep-blue California has its limits. The race is set. The stakes are real. ^[9]^[13]