Republican Steve Hilton, Democrat Xavier Becerra, and billionaire Tom Steyer competed Tuesday in California‘s gubernatorial primary election. The race featured 61 candidates seeking to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Early election returns showed Hilton leading with 27.6% of the vote. Becerra followed with 25.5% while Steyer held third place with 19.6%.
California uses an open primary system where the top two candidates advance regardless of party affiliation. Democratic leaders feared the crowded field could split liberal voters and allow two Republicans into the general election.
In March, California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks publicly urged lower-polling candidates to leave the race. The request failed to trigger major withdrawals before election day.
The primary field included several prominent Democrats alongside multiple Republican candidates. Former Rep. Katie Porter, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa remained behind the frontrunners Tuesday night.
The race shifted in April after former Rep. Eric Swalwell exited the campaign. The departure followed a San Francisco Chronicle investigation into allegations involving a former staffer.
President Donald Trump later endorsed Hilton during the Republican primary contest. The endorsement helped Hilton move ahead of Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco in polling.
Becerra addressed supporters Tuesday night in downtown Los Angeles after early returns arrived. “We love a good underdog story,” Becerra told supporters during his speech.
“Well guess what?” Becerra added. “The underdog stayed in the fight.”
Hilton also addressed supporters after taking the early lead in the primary race. “We’re not there yet, but it’s looking good,” Hilton said Tuesday night.
Steyer urged supporters in San Francisco to wait for additional ballot counts before calling the race. “We’re going to wait until every ballot is counted,” Steyer stated Tuesday night.
Porter, Mahan, and Villaraigosa later conceded after the early results widened. Several lower-polling candidates remained far behind the leading campaigns Tuesday night.
California Voters React to Crowded Governor Primary
Online reactions intensified Tuesday night as California voters debated the impact of the state’s crowded gubernatorial field. Commenters focused heavily on vote splitting across Democratic, Republican, and independent-aligned candidates after early returns placed Steve Hilton and Xavier Becerra ahead.
Several observers blamed lower-polling candidates for remaining in the race despite weak chances of advancing. “The real winners are the 300 democrat candidates who literally never had a shot, but stayed till the end because it was never about winning, it was always about ego.”
Another commenter argued the crowded field damaged the broader election outcome. “Hats off to the half dozen democrats who knew they had no chance but still decided to spoil the election.”
Some users focused on how California’s open primary structure may have influenced turnout dynamics between Democratic and Republican voters. “A D/R race leads to Republicans voting in the general, when a D/D leads to Republicans staying home and progressives being able to win down ballot elections.”
Others criticized California’s broader political identity after the early returns. “Wider America loves thinking California is some progressive haven, we love electing the most conservative democrats we can find.”
Not every reaction opposed the likely general election outcome between Hilton and Becerra. One voter signaled support for Democratic consolidation behind Becerra if Steyer failed to advance. “I voted for Steyer and if this result holds, it’s Becerra all day. Don’t make it complicated.”
Another commenter defended Becerra while still expressing frustration with the race dynamics. “Im fine with Becerra but I really wanted him to work for his win. Now he might get an easy win where he doesn’t really have to answer for us.”
California election officials continued processing ballots late Tuesday as candidates awaited updated statewide totals. Under California’s top-two primary system, the two leading candidates will advance to the general election regardless of party affiliation.
But online, many voters seemed just as focused on the unusually crowded field itself, with the 61-candidate race sparking jokes, frustration and broader questions about how California elections are run.
