Democrat Xavier Becerra will become California’s next governor after defeating Republican Steve Hilton, according to the Associated Press. The AP called the race shortly after polls closed on Tuesday, making Becerra the state’s first Latino governor in more than 150 years.
Becerra, who was born in Sacramento, previously served as California attorney general and as the 25th U.S. secretary of health and human services under President Joe Biden. His primary campaign gained momentum after Democratic contender Eric Swalwell suspended his bid amid sexual misconduct allegations. Becerra then consolidated support and used a major advertising campaign to pull ahead of rivals including Tom Steyer.
Hilton, a former Fox News host born in Britain, campaigned on cutting government waste, addressing high living costs, reforming education and improving public safety. His proposals included eliminating state income tax on the first $150,000 earned by residents, reducing gas prices to $3 per gallon, banning homeless encampments statewide and offering a film tax credit of up to 60 percent. The article also noted his endorsement from President Donald Trump and several attention-grabbing campaign ads.
Becerra’s campaign focused on lowering living costs, expanding healthcare and investing in infrastructure. He has also proposed doubling the pace of homebuilding, working toward a universal single-payer healthcare system and taxing the state’s highest earners. He will take office on Jan. 5, 2027, succeeding Gov. Gavin Newsom.
For California’s entertainment industry, Becerra has proposed requiring studios and streaming services to provide performance data and expanding tax credits in areas where the state is losing production work.
Sources: The Hollywood Reporter.