The Midterm Editor's note: This page was last updated November 6, 2026. The result recorded below is a race call by a news organization, not a certified total; the state election office certifies the official count.
Result
Xavier Becerra (D) defeated Steve Hilton (R). The Associated Press called the race shortly after polls closed on November 3, 2026. Becerra, a former state attorney general, succeeds term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom. Hilton conceded on election night.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Winner | Xavier Becerra (D) |
| Called by | Associated Press, night of November 3, 2026 |
| Outcome | Democratic hold |
A race call is a projection, not a certified total. County canvasses and state certification follow, as the certification calendar explains. The full map is on the governor results page.
Key facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Office | Governor of California, four-year term |
| Candidates | Steve Hilton (R) and Xavier Becerra (D) |
| Incumbent | Gavin Newsom (D), term-limited |
| Election Day | Tuesday, November 3, 2026 |
| Primary system | Top-two primary; the two leading candidates advance regardless of party |
| All races | 2026 governor races hub |
| Voting guide | How to vote in California |
| Race rating | See Cook, Sabato, and DDHQ for current ratings and dates |
| Official results | California Secretary of State |
What the open seat decides
California's governor signs a budget larger than most countries' and holds a line-item veto over it. The office appoints agency heads, fills judicial vacancies, and commands the California National Guard. In a state where one party holds every statewide office and both legislative chambers, the governor is also the main check inside the majority: the budget, housing law, and water policy all move at the governor's pace.
The 2026 race turns on a short list of state problems. Housing costs and homelessness remain the most visible, and both candidates will be asked what they would change in a state whose housing production still trails demand. Home insurance is a second: after several destructive wildfire years, insurers have withdrawn from parts of the state, and the next governor inherits the repair job. Water, the grid, and the state's relationship with the technology industry are the other recurring subjects.
Who is running
Steve Hilton (Republican). Hilton is a former Fox News host and a former adviser to the British prime minister, making his first run for public office his campaign for governor, according to his campaign and published profiles. He has campaigned as an outsider against the state's Democratic establishment.
Xavier Becerra (Democratic). Becerra served as California attorney general and then as U.S. secretary of health and human services, and he represented a Los Angeles district in Congress before that, according to official biographies. He entered the race with the endorsements and donor network of a statewide officeholder.
Other candidates. California's top-two primary can put two candidates of the same party on the November ballot, so the field is not limited to one Republican and one Democrat. The California secretary of state publishes the certified list.
Polls and ratings
We do not publish a poll number we cannot source, and a single survey does not settle a statewide race: the sample, the sponsor, and the field dates matter as much as the topline. Trackers that publish dated averages are the fastest way to see where the race stands:
- 270toWin's 2026 governor map — state-by-state polling and ratings.
- RealClearPolitics — a rolling average of published California surveys.
- Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball — race ratings with dates.
A rating is a judgment about the state of the race, not a forecast, and the three raters do not always agree. Check the date on any rating before you rely on it.
The 2028 angle
California will not decide the 2028 presidential election; it has voted Democratic in every presidential race since 1992. The governor's race matters nationally anyway, because the office is a platform. Recent governors have used it to build a national profile, and the state's size gives its governor a standing voice on climate, technology, and immigration policy. For the 2028 campaign, the more consequential question is who controls the state's machinery and its donor networks.
How to vote in California
California mails a ballot to every registered voter and allows same-day registration, so a voter who missed the October deadline can still register and vote conditionally at a county office or polling place. Early voting opens at county offices in early October, and polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Check your registration and ballot status at the California secretary of state. Our California voting guide covers deadlines, drop boxes, and the conditional ballot process.
What to watch
- Turnout in the Central Valley and Inland Empire. The coast is reliably Democratic; the inland counties are where Republican candidates need to run up margins.
- The top-two result. If two Democrats advanced, the general election becomes an intraparty fight, and Republican voters become spectators.
- Insurance and housing. These are the issues where the next governor's first year will be judged, regardless of party.
Results
Results were reported after polls closed on November 3, 2026. County counts are certified by the secretary of state, and a close race can take days to settle. Our results hub explains how race calls are made.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is running for governor of California in 2026?
Steve Hilton (R) and Xavier Becerra (D) are the major-party candidates, according to late-October reporting. The secretary of state publishes the certified ballot list.
Is Gavin Newsom running for governor again?
No. Newsom was elected in 2018 and 2022 and is term-limited, so the seat is open.
What does the governor of California do?
The governor signs or vetoes budgets and bills, appoints agency heads and judges, and commands the National Guard. In practice the office sets the pace on housing, water, and energy policy.
When is Election Day in California?
Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and every registered voter receives a mail ballot.
Where can I find polls for the California governor race?
Use a tracker that dates its averages, such as 270toWin, RealClearPolitics, or Silver Bulletin, and check the sponsor and field dates on the underlying polls.
Sources
- 270toWin: 2026 governor elections — race list, polling, and ratings. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- California Secretary of State — registration, ballot, and results. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Cook Political Report — race ratings. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Sabato's Crystal Ball — race ratings. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Associated Press — California coverage and race calls. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- National Conference of State Legislatures — state election rules. Accessed October 28, 2026.
Last updated October 28, 2026. The candidate field is based on late-October reporting and should be re-checked against the certified ballot.