SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California’s tumultuous gubernatorial contest neared its conclusion Saturday as top contenders worked frantically to make their final appeals ahead of Tuesday’s voting deadline.
Xavier Becerra, who previously served as U.S. health secretary, has championed what he calls “hot competence summer,” highlighting his extensive decades in public service as proof he possesses the necessary skills to lead California.
During comments made outside the state Capitol on Wednesday, Republican Steve Hilton promised to eliminate what he described as a “bloated, nanny-state bureaucracy.”
Tom Steyer, a billionaire environmental advocate, informed reporters this week in Berkeley that advancing progressive policies has become his life’s mission, which he plans to continue in Sacramento.
These candidates are working to distinguish themselves among approximately 60 contenders appearing on one ballot, with no party distinctions, under California’s top-two primary format. The pair receiving the highest vote totals will compete in the general election to succeed Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who cannot pursue a third term.
The packed field features Democrats Becerra, Steyer, former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, and Matt Mahan, the mayor of San Jose. Hilton, a former Fox News host with President Donald Trump’s backing, and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco represent the most notable Republican contenders.
By Friday afternoon, 13% of voters had submitted their ballots. This included 13% of Democrats and 18% of Republicans, based on tracking data from Democratic strategist Paul Mitchell. The pattern differs from recent years when Democrats typically voted early while many Republicans waited until Election Day.
Several Democrats have delayed voting to see if any candidate emerges as a clear frontrunner in the closing days, or due to dissatisfaction with the extensive candidate list.
Polling conducted in mid-to-late May indicated that Becerra and Hilton each garnered support from approximately 2 in 10 California likely voters. One survey showed Steyer performing closer to Becerra and Hilton, with Bianco and Porter further back, while another poll showed similar support levels for Steyer, Bianco, and Porter. No other candidates reached double-digit support in either survey.
The hopefuls have crisscrossed the state, which contains roughly 23 million registered voters, seeking advantages over their competitors. Becerra, Hilton, Steyer and Bianco will all campaign in the San Francisco Bay Area this weekend. Fresno and Los Angeles have also drawn frequent campaign visits.
Becerra has emphasized his more than 35 years serving in state and federal positions.
“This is not a place for on-the-job training,” he stated during a podcast with political commentator Ana Navarro. “You better know what you’re doing.”
His weekend schedule includes a text-banking event with Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta in San Francisco and a rally with the Service Employees International Union in San Jose.
Hilton has positioned himself as someone offering fresh perspectives on state government, promising to reduce regulations while lowering housing and energy expenses. He believes this message will unite voters, he explained to reporters this week in Sacramento.
“It’s not ideological,” Hilton stated. “It’s just simple, practical commonsense — $3 gas, cut your electric bills in half.”
Hilton plans to conduct a town hall in Silicon Valley Saturday night. He has avoided emphasizing Trump’s endorsement. Should he reach the November election, he’ll need support from voters beyond his party to succeed in the Democrat-heavy state that last elected a Republican governor in 2011.
Steyer, who calls himself a “billionaire who wants to tax other billionaires,” characterized the race as a three-way competition between himself, Hilton and Becerra.
“There is a hard-right Republican who’s endorsed by Donald Trump,” he addressed supporters at a Berkeley sports bar.
“The second candidate is Xavier Becerra, who, to my surprise, is a corporate Democrat,” Steyer added, citing his acceptance of campaign money from Chevron.
“And the third person’s me,” he continued. “And I am running because Californians can’t afford to live here anymore.”
Steyer plans to attend a campaign rally Saturday in San Francisco to sharpen his voter outreach.
Meanwhile, Mahan will meet with voters in Los Angeles, Porter will deliver remarks in Orange County, and Bianco will present his platform at a San Jose church.
