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California Governor
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Projected Winner
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Xavier Becerra
64%
4,960,174 -
Steve Hilton
36%
2,784,695
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The race for governor in the nation’s most populous state was one of eight contests for statewide executive office on the ballot in the November 2026 California general election.
The election to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom pitted former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra against Republican business executive Steve Hilton.
The Republican candidate faced an uphill battle in California, where registered Democratic voters (10.4 million) vastly outnumber registered Republican voters (5.7 million). The last Republican voted into the governor’s office was Arnold Schwarzenegger in November 2006.
Other statewide offices on the ballot included the state’s insurance commissioner, a job that has ascended in visibility over the years largely due to the challenges faced by home and business owners after disasters like the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires.
Below, election results and a look at the responsibilities that come with statewide office in California.
The last time California voted for a Republican candidate for governor was 20 years ago when Schwarzenegger was elected to a second term. This time around, Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton emerged from a crowded June primary field in the race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Among the job’s responsibilities, the governor reviews all bills passed by the state legislature, submits an annual proposal for a state spending plan, appoint judges and department heads, and leads responses to natural disasters like wildfires.
The California governor serves a four-year term limited to a maximum of two terms in a lifetime. Newsom is the state’s 40th governor.
Considered a largely symbolic position, the lieutenant governor is next in line if the governor is absent of vacates the office.
The lieutenant governor, a position held by Newsom from 2011 to 2019, also serves on boards that oversee the University of California, California State University and community college systems. In the rare event of a tie vote in the state Senate, the lieutenant governor can cast a tie-breaking vote.
Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis was in her final term.
This elected office is in charge of elections, making sure everything runs smoothly and on time in accordance with election laws.
As chief elections officer, the Secretary of State is in charge of certifying statewide ballot measures and election results, preparing voter information guides, testing of voting equipment, ensuring adherence to election laws and other duties that protect the elections process. In addition to election-related roles, the Secretary of State also maintains business filings and other public records, manages a campaign finance records database and maintains the state archives.
The general election ballot included incumbent Democrat Shirley Weber.
The state Controller’s office is the state’s chief accountant, serving as an independent accountant and bookkeeper who makes sure the state’s finances are in order. One of the office’s main responsibilities is holding the state accountable when it comes to the use of public funds. The office also audits government agencies and looks after unclaimed property.
Incumbent Democrat Malia Cohen, who previously served on the California State Board of Equalization, was on the general election ballot.
The Treasurer acts as the chief banker, investment officer and asset manager for California. Elected to a four-year term that includes service on several state boards, the office also oversees borrowing and debt.
Candidates were vying to succeed Fiona Ma, who ran for lieutenant governor.
The race for the state’s top prosecutor included incumbent Democrat Rob Bonta, who has continued the office’s practice of filing and joining high-profile lawsuits to counter the Trump administration.
Bonta was appointed to the job in 2021 and then elected to a four-year term in 2022. He also served as an East Bay assembly member.
The commissioner is the regulator of the nation’s largest property and casualty insurance market. The job’s profile has been raised in recent years due to devastating wildfires, such as the January 2025 Los Angeles County fires and the astronomical cost of disaster recovery, making it one of the most important elected officers on the ballot.
The Insurance Commissioner position was created by voters in 1988 to oversee the nation’s largest insurance marketplace. Homeowners, car owners, businesses, landlords, renters and anyone else who depends on insurance will be looking for a leader who can secure affordable options at a time of uncertainty in the market.
The nation’s only elected tax commission is responsible for administering the state’s property tax system and fee collection. It is often a stepping stone to other state offices requiring experience in state taxes and finance.
The state has four equalization districts with a member elected from each district. The California Controller serves as the fifth board member. Each member represents about 10 million people. District 3 includes communities throughout Los Angeles County.
This is a nonpartisan office in a state where many education curriculum and budget decisions are made at the local level. The role of the state superintendent may be further diminished after a proposal by Gov. Newsom to shift more power to the State Board of Education.
See a full list of California election results here.
