As California voters prepare for Tuesday's primary election, leading gubernatorial candidates are intensifying their final appeals, with a fierce competition unfolding for the second spot that would advance them to the November general election. With Xavier Becerra, former Secretary of Health and Human Services, showing a surge in recent polls, the focus has shifted to the strategic positioning of Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Tom Steyer.
Republican Steve Hilton, who gained significant traction after an endorsement from former President Trump, urged voters to support him to prevent a scenario where both nominees in the general election are Democrats. Hilton, a former conservative commentator, stated, "I want us to fight like we are third. We aren’t going to let this slip away." He argues that a vote for his main GOP rival, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, would effectively be a vote for two Democrats advancing. Hilton also contended that a Republican gubernatorial candidate failing to reach the general election would negatively impact down-ballot races and a Republican-backed ballot initiative requiring voter identification.
Billionaire hedge fund founder turned climate activist Tom Steyer, a Democrat, is investing heavily in his campaign, spending a record $216 million of his personal wealth. Steyer positions himself as the sole candidate unfettered by special interests, criticizing Xavier Becerra for accepting contributions from corporations like Meta, Airbnb, Uber, and Chevron. "We’ve seen it in this race. Chevron cuts you a check and you look the other way when they hike prices at the pump," Steyer asserted to supporters, arguing Becerra would prioritize corporate interests over those of Californian residents.
Xavier Becerra, in turn, has attacked both Steyer and Hilton, asserting, "We are not going to let a billionaire or Trump’s handpicked candidate take over this state." Becerra's campaign also released a video targeting Hilton as "Trump’s favorite," a move widely interpreted as an effort to boost Hilton's standing among Republicans to ensure he finishes ahead of Steyer in the primary, a more favorable matchup for Becerra given the state's Democratic voter advantage. Becerra emphasized his grassroots support, stating, "We don’t have the money, but we have the movement. We don’t have the money, but we’ve got the momentum."
In the final days before the June 2 primary, the leading candidates, Becerra, Hilton, and Steyer, have focused their attention on Southern California, home to a significant portion of the state's registered voters. Despite record spending and notable candidates, the gubernatorial race has struggled to energize the electorate, with experts attributing voter apathy to political polarization and economic concerns. Recent polling suggests the likelihood of two Republicans advancing is minimal, with a slim possibility of two Democrats securing the top two spots.
