Steve Hilton Trails at 36% in California Governor Race as Democrats Win Seats

Xavier Becerra will serve as the next governor of California, according to an Associated Press call made shortly after 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Democratic voters secured the statewide executive office, leaving Republican candidate Steve Hilton with a final vote share of approximately 36 percent as of Wednesday afternoon.

Hilton conceded the race at a Hyatt ballroom in Garden Grove while his supporters gathered in a dimly lit room. The event featured loud music, including the song “Don’t Stop Believin’,” and a stage decorated with a photograph of the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset. Most attendees kept their eyes on each other or the empty lectern, while others checked their phones to view the rapidly changing election results.

The concession came minutes after the polls closed. Hilton acknowledged the difficulty of campaigning in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans two to one. He told the crowd, “Maybe this isn’t the best year to be running for office as a Republican.” He noted that the results around the country showed a strong shift toward the Democratic Party.

Hilton attempted to win voters through various strategies during the campaign. He ran an advertisement urging voters to “Just Try” voting for him and tried to distinguish himself from President Donald Trump, who supported his bid. Hilton also criticized Becerra for remaining out of the public eye after winning the primary.

These efforts did not change the outcome. Matt Shupe, a spokesperson for the California Republican Party, stood outside the ballroom and described the year as challenging terrain for Republicans. He stated, “It’s pretty typical that the party that's not in power gains some seats, so I think that was pretty expected for the most part.”

Shupe added that the party intends to bring a more intense fight in 2028. By 9:30 p.m., most guests had left the event and driven home.