Becerra Wins California Governor Race Over Hilton
Democrat Xavier Becerra defeated Republican Steve Hilton after real estate donors shifted support following Matt Mahan's exit from the June primary.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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Democrat Xavier Becerra won California's governor race against Republican Steve Hilton, with The Associated Press calling the race not long after polls closed on November 3, 2026. Becerra, who previously served as Joe Biden's health secretary, drew backing from real estate executives and developers.
Why it matters
Becerra's win follows a shift in real estate industry support after Matt Mahan failed to advance from the June primary, making the sector's donors a notable force in the outcome. His promises to increase development, cut red tape and keep Wall Street investors from outbidding homebuyers position housing policy at the center of his administration's agenda for California residents.
The Associated Press called the race not long after polls closed on November 3, 2026, but the extraction does not include vote totals or margins. Donation amounts from real estate backers and the size of Hudson Pacific Properties' last-minute contribution were not disclosed.
The players
Xavier Becerra
Xavier Becerra is a Democrat who previously served as Joe Biden's health secretary and won California's governor race.
Steve Hilton
Steve Hilton is a Republican who lost California's governor race to Xavier Becerra.
Don Bren
Don Bren is the owner of the Irvine Company, a major Southern California real estate developer, and a donor to Becerra's campaign.
The details
Becerra campaigned on increasing the rate of development and cutting red tape, and pledged to keep Wall Street investors from outbidding people for homes. Donors including Don Bren, owner of the Irvine Company, and Rick Caruso backed his campaign, and Hudson Pacific Properties made a last-minute donation.
Timeline
June 2026: Matt Mahan failed to advance from the primary, prompting real estate donors to shift support to Becerra.
November 3, 2026: Becerra defeated Hilton in the general election.
Political Context
Becerra's win came after Matt Mahan's exit from the June primary redirected real estate industry donations toward him, a pattern in which developers consolidate behind the candidate most likely to advance housing development. Critics of this alignment have raised concerns about the influence of development money on housing policy, though the extraction does not detail specific opposition arguments.
Becerra's pledge to increase development and cut red tape could affect the pace of new housing construction in California. His stated intention to keep Wall Street investors from outbidding homebuyers may influence how home purchases are handled in the state.
The takeaway
Campaign donations from real estate sources can shift after primary results, and voters may want to track how a candidate's donor base relates to the housing policies they promise. Following the record of any new governor on development and housing will show whether campaign pledges become policy.
Further reading
Explore more on Elections coverage of California's governor race and the donor dynamics that shaped it.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Real Deal New York.
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Do you trust state leaders funded by real estate developers to protect ordinary homebuyers?
