Santa Cruz County’s gubernatorial primary results revealed a clear demographic divide: Tom Steyer performed best in whiter, more college-educated communities, while Xavier Becerra drew strong support from Latino-majority areas such as Watsonville, helping propel him into the November run-off against Republican Steve Hilton.
Election 2026: California governor
Coverage from Lookout and content partners of the 2026 race to succeed Gavin Newsom as governor of California.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton will face off in California governor’s race
The race for California governor this fall will be a battle between a Democrat promising to cement the state’s status as a stronghold of liberal policies and a Republican pledging to dramatically reverse course in the nation’s most populous state.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Democrat Xavier Becerra advances to general election in race for California governor
Democrat Xavier Becerra advanced Friday to the general election for California governor after pitching himself as an experienced choice to lead the nation’s most populous state and succeed Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. It was not yet clear whether his general election opponent will be Republican Steve Hilton or fellow Democrat Tom Steyer.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Hilton, Becerra in front in jumbled race for California governor; Steyer in third
Two Democrats and a Republican were leading in early returns Tuesday in California’s crowded primary for governor, a campaign that tested voters’ appetites for an experienced politician or candidates promising change.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Tom Steyer says the right things. His record says otherwise.
Rose K. Murphy argues that Tom Steyer’s environmental and economic rhetoric clashes with the investment record of the hedge fund he built at Farallon Capital Management. From water rights fights in Colorado to private prisons and overseas fossil fuel projects, the Watsonville resident writes that Steyer, now running for California governor, has never fully answered for the profits tied to environmental damage and corporate exploitation.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Who’s ahead in the California governor’s race?
Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton are holding on to the lead in the latest poll ahead of the California governor election. That’s according to the Public Policy Institute of California, which surveyed 986 likely voters earlier this month.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
What would get Gen Z to vote in California’s primary? These candidates are trying
Historical voter turnout data show that voters aged 29 and younger disproportionately sit out primary elections in California compared to the general voting population. Still, a few gubernatorial candidates have been targeting young voters in their campaigns, particularly through social media and college organizations.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Follow the money: Who’s backing California’s next governor — and why
Billionaires, Big Oil and other interests are spending big to influence the California governor’s race, making for the most expensive primary campaign in state history.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California governor front-runner Xavier Becerra’s playbook: Never say you’re sorry
Democratic front-runner for California governor Xavier Becerra has dodged weeks of criticism about his record. His dismissals reflect a confident position near the top of the polls.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Governor YIMBY: In California’s unsettled race, most candidates see eye-to-eye on housing
On zoning, permitting, fees and NIMBY obstruction, the top candidates vying to become California’s next governor all say the state needs to make it easier to build more homes.
