Xavier Becerra wins California governor's race over Steve Hilton
Why it matters: The Democrat extends the party's 16-year statewide winning streak and becomes California's first Latino governor since the late 19th century.
Democrat Xavier Becerra won California's governor's race Tuesday, defeating Republican Steve Hilton to succeed term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom in the nation's most populous state. Becerra, a former California attorney general, congressman and U.S. health secretary, campaigned on his long government record and pledged to defend the state against President Donald Trump's policies on immigration, voting rights and other issues. Hilton, a former Fox News host and adviser to former U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron, tried to cast himself as an outsider who could tackle California's high cost of living and homelessness after years of Democratic control. Becerra's victory keeps California under Democratic leadership and preserves the party's 16-year statewide winning streak.