Steve Hilton, a former senior adviser to British Prime Minister David Cameron, has lost the California governor’s race to Democrat Xavier Becerra. Hilton, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, faced a difficult contest as a Republican in the state. His defeat was projected shortly after polls closed.
Becerra will become California’s first Latino governor in more than 150 years, succeeding term-limited Gavin Newsom. He represented Los Angeles in Congress for 24 years, served as California’s top prosecutor and later became health and human services secretary in the Biden administration.
Hilton campaigned as an outsider, drawing on his role in shaping the UK Conservative Party’s “Big Society” agenda under Cameron. He said he wanted to address bureaucracy and economic decline, and to restore affordability and opportunity. Both candidates highlighted California’s cost of living, housing affordability, energy policy and relationship with the federal government.
Speaking in Sacramento on Tuesday night, Becerra declared, “We fought and we won,” and told supporters they had entered “the Becerra era.” Hilton acknowledged his loss and pointed to a wider Democratic wave, saying the political climate may not have been favorable for a Republican candidate. He described campaigning across California as an honour and a joy, adding that “the change we hoped for may be delayed but the change is coming.”
The race narrowed after Congressman Eric Swalwell, who had appeared to be an early contender, withdrew following sexual assault allegations that he denied. Becerra and Hilton emerged as the leading candidates in the June primary, ahead of progressive billionaire Tom Steyer.
Sources: BBC News World.