The first results from the California governor primary produced an unexpected contest among familiar names and political newcomers. With polls closing on June 2, 2026, early tallies placed Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra near the top, while billionaire Tom Steyer trailed in a tight third. The outcome capped a highly fragmented race in which roughly 60 candidates competed on a single ballot, forcing voters to weigh experience against promises of sweeping change.
The campaign’s dominant theme was affordability: soaring housing prices, elevated gas costs and high utility bills framed debates and voter concerns. Candidates staked out sharply different remedies, from tax reforms and production incentives to bold social programs. With California’s unique primary system — where the top two finishers, regardless of party, advance to the November general election — strategic calculations by voters and campaigns amplified every percentage point in the returns.
Who emerged in early returns
Early returns showed Steve Hilton, a conservative commentator and former British political adviser, leading in some counts with about 27.6% of the statewide vote, closely followed by former state attorney general and U.S. health secretary Xavier Becerra at roughly 25.5%. Billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer was near 19.6%, putting him in a competitive position for the second spot. These numbers were provisional and officials warned that a complete count could take days to weeks because California counts mail ballots postmarked by Election Day that arrive later.
Policy contrasts that defined the race
Affordability emerged as the through-line of the contest. Candidates offered distinct prescriptions: Hilton promised tax relief such as making the first $100,000 of income tax-free for residents, a push to expand oil and energy production, and freezes on public college tuition. By contrast, Steyer campaigned as a progressive willing to overhaul the health system toward a government-run model and propose higher taxes on corporations and the ultrawealthy. Becerra emphasized governing experience, arguing he could navigate state institutions and protect programs while maintaining continuity with existing policies.
Voters and campaign spending
Steyer’s campaign bookended the race with massive advertising: trackers reported more than $200 million spent on broadcast, cable and radio ads. That financial muscle drew attacks alleging an attempt to “buy” the election, a charge his rivals used to question his motives. Yet some voters, particularly younger and climate-focused constituents, said they were drawn to Steyer’s climate agenda despite reservations about his wealth. Meanwhile, anecdotal voters credited Hilton for offering a stark break from the status quo and praised Becerra’s record of public service.
How the primary format and candidate dynamics shaped outcomes
California’s top-two primary system has historically produced unpredictable outcomes by placing all contenders on a single ballot. Earlier in the cycle Democrats feared vote-splitting might produce two Republicans in the general election; that concern later shifted as Republicans coalesced behind a single prominent conservative candidate. Several notable names— including former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa— conceded as returns showed they would not reach the top two.
Campaign controversies and key moments
Throughout the campaign candidates traded critiques over records and past actions. Becerra faced scrutiny for his time as U.S. health secretary, including decisions involving the care of unaccompanied migrant children at the border. Steyer confronted questions about his earlier hedge-fund investments, and Hilton leaned on national conservative endorsements to consolidate support. Each exchange underscored how voters evaluated both competence and change-oriented promises as the state wrestled with compounding challenges.
What comes next
Even with initial leaders identified, final results were not instant. California’s practice of counting valid mail ballots that arrive after Election Day means the official totals can shift over days. If the early leaders hold, the November general election will likely pit a Democrat against a Republican in a high-profile contest for the state’s chief executive. Given California’s size, economic heft and national visibility, the outcome will be watched closely by political observers across the country.
As ballots continued to be tallied, the early returns illustrated several constants in modern Californian campaigns: intense media spending, polarized policy visions and voter frustration about living costs. Whether those currents reshape state governance would depend on how the top-two finishers refine their messages and reach voters as the calendar moves toward the general election.
