Trump and the high cost of living loom over California governor’s race between Becerra and Hilton

The contest to succeed Gavin Newsom as California governor has narrowed to Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton, with the high cost of living and President Donald Trump’s influence central to the choice. The US Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration’s bid to stop California counting ballots linked to its claim that as many as 20,000 non-citizens may be registered to vote.

Becerra, a former state attorney general, congressman and US health secretary, says his more than 35 years in government equip him to defend California and keep its liberal policies. Hilton, a former UK political adviser and Fox News host who has never held elected office, blames years of Democratic leadership for high costs in housing, fuel and education. Democrats make up about 45% of registered voters, compared with 25% for Republicans; election officials say they follow federal law, and experts say non-citizen voting is rare and has not been shown to change election outcomes.