Ex-UK political aide Steve Hilton loses bid for California governor to Democrat

Steve Hilton has lost California’s governorship to Democrat Xavier Becerra, with the result projected soon after polls closed. The defeat came amid strong Democratic gains nationwide and leaves Becerra set to become the state’s first Latino governor in more than 150 years.

Both candidates made the high cost of living, housing affordability, energy policy and federal relations central to their campaigns. Becerra, a former congressman and California attorney general, previously served as health secretary under Joe Biden; Hilton was a senior adviser to David Cameron and ran as a Republican endorsed by Donald Trump. Hilton conceded, while saying the change he sought was delayed rather than abandoned.