Xavier Becerra won the gubernatorial contest after a campaign focused on living costs, housing, energy policy, and relations with the federal government. His opponent, former British prime ministerial adviser Steve Hilton, failed to gain traction despite securing an endorsement from President Donald Trump. Hilton conceded the race shortly after polls closed, referencing the tough national landscape for the Republican party. The election path had opened up earlier in the cycle after progressive billionaire Tom Steyer lost in the primary and Congressman Eric Swalwell exited following denied sexual assault allegations.
Key points
Xavier Becerra secured a historic milestone by becoming the first Latino governor of Cali…: Xavier Becerra secured a historic milestone by becoming the first Latino governor of California in more than 150 years.
Steve Hilton fell short in the liberal state despite running as an outsider backed by Pre…: Steve Hilton fell short in the liberal state despite running as an outsider backed by President Donald Trump.
The California gubernatorial result accompanied a broader wave of Democratic victories na…: The California gubernatorial result accompanied a broader wave of Democratic victories nationwide that delivered the party full control of Congress.
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- Published
Steve Hilton, the former senior adviser to British Prime Minister David Cameron, has lost his bid for California governor to Democrat Xavier Becerra.
Hilton, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, faced an uphill battle as a Republican in the widely liberal state. His loss was projected within minutes of polls closing in California.
Polls had suggested he had a slim chance at victory, especially on an election night where Democrats saw historic wins. He had campaigned to "save" the state from what he described as overbearing bureaucracy and economic decline.
Becerra will be the state's first Latino governor in more than 150 years. He succeeds term-limited Gavin Newsom.
Becerra represented Los Angeles in Congress for 24 years and served as the state's top prosecutor before he became the Health and Human Services secretary in the Biden administration.
In contrast, Hilton - an architect of the UK Conservative Party's "Big Society" agenda under Cameron - presented himself as a political outsider in the governor's race.
His campaign pushed to restore affordability and opportunity in what he described as…
The result delivers a critical seat to Democrats in their battle for control of the upper chamber, while making the 42-year-old former local health official the first Muslim American senator in U.S. history. His victory required overcoming internal party fractures, which escalated when a defeated primary rival broke ranks to endorse the Republican candidate.
South Korean and United States forces are analyzing projectile data following morning launches detected from the Sondok area. The weapons activity extends an intensive testing campaign that includes hypersonic missiles and drones amid heightened regional friction. Tensions were recently amplified by a border landmine blast that injured three South Korean soldiers, an incident blamed on Pyongyang by a joint investigation.
The balance of power in Washington has flipped, leaving an incumbent president without control of either legislative chamber for the first time since Barack Obama's second term. Sweeping victories across traditionally conservative strongholds grant the new majority broad authority to block executive appointments, issue subpoenas, and scrutinize administration spending. This shift creates a formidable institutional check on the Trump administration's domestic and foreign policy priorities.