Becerra Projected Winner in California Governor Race
Democrat Xavier Becerra was named projected winner minutes after polls closed, while Republican Steve Hilton held 34.2% of the popular vote as of Monday evening.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Elections
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Democrat Xavier Becerra was projected winner of the California governor's race minutes after polls closed. As of Monday evening, Republican Steve Hilton had received 34.2% of the popular vote, according to the Associated Press.
Why it matters
The result determines who will lead California's state government, and the outcome in each county reflects a split across the state's Central Valley. Vote totals will continue to shift until official certification.
The 34.2% figure is an Associated Press tally of the statewide popular vote as of Monday evening, and county counts are unofficial partial totals. Official results are due by December 4 and will be certified by the Secretary of State on December 11.
The players
Xavier Becerra
Democrat Xavier Becerra is a longtime California public official who was projected winner of the state's governor race.
Steve Hilton
Republican Steve Hilton is a former television journalist and political candidate who finished second in the state's governor race.
Associated Press
The Associated Press is a nonprofit news cooperative that tabulates election results and provided the statewide vote figures.
The details
Becerra was projected winner minutes after polls closed. County counts compiled by YourCentralValley.com show Becerra leading in Fresno and Merced counties, while Hilton led in Tulare, Kings, Madera and Mariposa counties.
Timeline
Monday, November 9, 2026: Polls closed and Becerra was projected winner minutes later.
Monday evening, November 9, 2026: Hilton stood at 34.2% of the popular vote per the Associated Press.
December 4, 2026: Deadline for final official election results to be reported.
December 11, 2026: Secretary of State certifies the election results.
Political Context
Becerra's projected win continues a pattern of Democratic success in California's governor's races, which have gone to the party's candidates in recent cycles. Hilton's showing in the Central Valley counties, where he led several counties, highlights the region's continued political competitiveness.
The governor's race result sets state policy direction for California residents over the coming term. Vote totals in individual counties may still shift before official results are reported, so the current figures are not final.
The takeaway
Election night projections are based on counted ballots, and the final outcome will be confirmed only after official certification in December.
What happens next
Official election results are due by December 4, 2026, and the Secretary of State will certify the results on December 11, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in Elections for context on California's governor race and how ballots are counted.
Source note: This article includes information reported by YourCentralValley.
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