Xavier Becerra advanced to the California governor general election on Friday, after results from the state’s top-two primary showed him with the largest vote share among a crowded field. Becerra, who served as U.S. health secretary under President Joe Biden and previously as California attorney general, campaigned as the most experienced candidate in the race.
“The people of the great state of California, in the greatest nation on earth, have spoken — loudly and proudly,” Becerra said in a statement. “We are never backing down. November, here we come.”
Becerra’s campaign highlighted his more than 35 years in public office, including his tenure as state attorney general from 2017 to 2021 and his role as health secretary during the COVID-19 pandemic. He argued that his depth of experience made him best suited to succeed Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited.
It remains unclear who will finish second and face Becerra in the general election. The leading contenders for the second spot are Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News commentator endorsed by President Donald Trump, and Democrat Tom Steyer, a billionaire climate activist who poured $215 million of his own money into his campaign.
Hilton campaigned on a platform of cutting regulations and lowering taxes, while Steyer focused on climate action and economic fairness. The final results from the primary, held earlier this week, are still being counted, and the exact margin between the two remains uncertain.