Becerra, Hilton advance to November runoff in California governor race
What's next: California can keep counting mail ballots until July 10 certification, but Tom Steyer no longer has a viable path to the top two.
Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton advanced to a November runoff in California's race for governor, according to projections after the state's June 2 top-two primary. Becerra, a Democrat who served as US health secretary under Joe Biden, led with about 27.9% of the vote, while Hilton, a Republican former Fox News host backed by Donald Trump, had about 24.9%. Democrat Tom Steyer was third at 22.6%. Under California's open primary system, the two highest vote-getters move on regardless of party. The winner will replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom and inherit leadership of a roughly $4 trillion economy as the state grapples with water strain, housing costs and homelessness.