# Xavier Becerra defeats former Cameron aide Steve Hilton in California governor race

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/ex-uk-political-aide-steve-hilton-loses-bid-for-california-governor-to-democrat/
- Published: 2026-11-04T15:13:01+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-04T15:24:17+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC World (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6vg7y9eyn07o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Government, Politics, UK, World

## Key points

- Xavier Becerra is projected to win California’s governorship.
- Steve Hilton acknowledged defeat amid Democratic gains.
- Becerra is set to be the state’s first Latino governor in over 150 years.

## Summary

The article reports the projected result: former UK political aide Steve Hilton has lost California’s governor’s race to Democrat Xavier Becerra, with the outcome clear within minutes of polls closing. Becerra succeeds term-limited Gavin Newsom and is set to become California’s first Latino governor in more than 150 years, while Hilton’s defeat came amid strong Democratic gains nationwide.

Both candidates focused on the state’s high cost of living, housing affordability, energy policy and relations with the federal government. Becerra represented Los Angeles in Congress for 24 years, served as California’s top prosecutor and later led the US Health and Human Services Department under Joe Biden; Hilton, a former senior adviser to David Cameron and architect of the Conservatives’ “Big Society” agenda, campaigned as a Republican endorsed by Donald Trump.

## Coverage

- [BBC World: Xavier Becerra defeats former Cameron aide Steve Hilton in California governor race](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6vg7y9eyn07o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss)
- [New York Post: Steve Hilton takes swipe at Dem rival Xavier Becerra in concession speech after governor’s race is called](https://nypost.com/2026/11/04/us-news/steve-hilton-takes-a-swipe-at-dem-rival-xavier-becerra-in-concession-speech-after-governors-race-is-called/)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.