Hilton, Becerra hold leads in tight CA governor's race: Here's what it could mean for November

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The race for California's next governor remains too close to call -- with Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra holding the top two positions -- as ballots continue to be counted.

Democrat Tom Steyer is in third place with about 20% of the vote as of Wednesday evening and has vowed to stay in the race until every ballot is tallied. Under California's primary system, only the top two candidates advance to the November general election.

The contest has evolved into a tight three-way race, with Hilton and Becerra emerging as the likely contenders, but neither declaring victory.

"Nothing is final yet, but it does look as if change is coming to California," Hilton said during a Wednesday press conference on the steps of the Capitol building.

Hilton struck a cautiously optimistic tone as results continue to come in, emphasizing a message of economic change and affordability. He has centered his campaign on lowering costs and taxes, arguing the state is facing "an economic emergency."

ELECTION 2026 UPDATES: CA gov race remains close between Hilton, Becerra as count continues

"It's urgent that we take this state in a new direction," Hilton said. "People want change."

Pres. Donald Trump congratulated Hilton on Wednesday, even as the race remains too early to call.

In a social media post, Trump wrote: "If Californians are smart, which I know they are, they will put Steve into the Governor's Mansion, and watch their State get better."

The post came as ballots were still being counted and neither Hilton nor other candidates had declared victory.

Becerra did not make any public appearances Wednesday as votes were counted, but has already begun framing the race in broader political terms amid the likelihood of a matchup with a Republican in November.

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"One day, when the power pendulum swings back against the chaos, the cruelty and the corruption -- when all that remains of MAGA are broken promises, unpaid debts and empty ballrooms, the world will look once again for American renewal and for the state of California to lead the way" Becerra told supporters Tuesday night.

"And anyone who wants to come at California will have to go through me," he said.

Political analysts say Becerra's rise reflects shifting dynamics within the Democratic electorate. Political strategist Mike Madrid called his surge notable.

"I think any candidate that goes from 3% to 25% in seven weeks has done something remarkable," he said.

Madrid said Becerra's rapid rise reflects a consolidation of Democratic voters and a broad, multiracial coalition that extends beyond any single demographic group.

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"He's got a very broad-based coalition that looks like California, and it's more based off of middle-class economic values than racial or identity politics," he said. "And that's a profound change for the Democratic Party that needs to rebound and take a different approach to re-engage working-class voters."

With tens of thousands of ballots still to be counted, the second-place position remains within reach for Steyer, though analysts say the path is difficult.

In a letter to supporters, Steyer's campaign manager asked voters to patient, arguing that a top-two finish is still within reach.

"We're going to wait until every ballot is counted," said Heather Hargreaves, Steyer's campaign manager. "The most important thing you can do while we wait is to visit the state's ballot tracker and verify that your ballot has been accepted."

"There's certainly a mathematical path for the top two," said Republican strategist Tim Rosales, though he noted trends favor Hilton and Becerra as counting continues.

Any Republican candidate faces an uphill battle in California, where Democrats make up about 45% of registered voters compared to roughly 25% for Republicans.

Rosales said national politics could further complicate that path, especially since Trump endorsed Hilton in the primary.

"That becomes kind of an albatross to any, any candidate right now in California -- a Republican candidate, at least," he said.

Despite the uncertainty, campaigns are already shifting toward the general election.

For now, the outcome hinges on the remaining ballots, leaving all three campaigns in "wait-and-see mode" as California's closely contested race continues to unfold.