What to Know
- Democrat Xavier Becerra defeated Republican Steve Hilton in the race for California governor.
- The contest was one of eight for statewide office in the nation’s most populous state. Four seats on the state’s board of equalization also were up for grabs.
- Becerra and Hilton emerged from a crowded field in the June primary election.
- Contests for secretary of state, insurance commissioner, lieutenant governor, attorney general , controller and the superintendent of public instruction also were on the line.
- See a full list of California election results here.
The race for California governor was one of eight contests for statewide executive office on the ballot in the November 2026 general election.
The election to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom pitted former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra against Republican business executive Steve Hilton. 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.
One again, Democrats will control all elected statewide offices in California.
Below, election results and a look at the responsibilities that come with statewide office in California.
Election results for California governor and other statewide offices
Xavier Becerra makes history in race for governor
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.
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.
Becerra, 68, was projected to win the election with a commanding lead of 65.6% to Hilton’s 34.4% in results updated Monday. In Los Angeles County, the state’s most populous county, Becerra held a 72% to 28% edge.
When Becerra is sworn into office in January, he will become the first Latino elected to the office in California and the first Latino governor of the state in more than century. Romualdo Pacheco, serving as lieutenant governor, assumed the governor’s office in 1875 after Gov. Newton Booth resigned from office. Pacheco served for about 10 months and left office in December of the same year.
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.
Fiona Ma projected to win all-Democrat race for lieutenant governor
In a showdown featuring two Democrats, Fiona Ma was projected to win the race for lieutenant governor in a decisive victory. Ma, the outgoing state treasurer, held an advantage of 65.5% to 34.5% over Gloria Romero, a former state senator.
Ma has served in several public offices, including the State Board of Equalization, the State Assembly and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
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.
Former Gov. Gray Davis also served at lieutenant governor.
Secretary of State Shirley Weber projected to win re-election
Democrat incumbent Shirley Weber was projected to cruise to victory over Republican challenger Donald Wagner for Secretary of State. In results updated Monday, Weber held a commanding 66.5% to 33.5% lead over Donald Wager, a long-time public office holder who served as Irvine mayor, member of the State Assembly and a supervisor on the Orange County board.
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.
Malia Cohen on track for another term as California Controller
Democrat Malia Cohen was projected to win re-election with a 65.49% to 34.51% lead over Republican Herb Morgan.
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.
Eleni Kounalakis projected to become California Treasurer
Eleni Kounalakis is poised to make the move from the lieutenant governor’s office to the treasurer’s office. In results updated Monday, the Democrat held a 65.67% to 34.33% lead over Republican Jennifer Hawks.
Kounalakis was first elected lieutenant governor in 2018 and reelected in 2022. She a campaign for governor in April 2023, but later dropped out of the race to run for treasurer. Kounalakis is the former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary. She also wwas a California co-chair of Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.
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 Ma, who ran for lieutenant governor.
Attorney General Rob Bonta projected to win re-election
Democrat Rob Bonta was projected to win re-election to attorney general. He held a 65.5% to 34.5% lead over Republican Michael Gates in results updated Monday.
Bonta was appointed state AG in 2021 when then-Attorney General Becerra joined the Biden administration. Bonta was elected in 2022 to serve a full term. His time in office has been most notable for aggressive pushback against several Trump administration policies.
He also served as an East Bay assembly member.
Jane Kim projected to become California Insurance Commissioner
In the election for an office with heightened visibility in recent years, Jane Kim was projected to defeat fellow Democrat Ben Allen for insurance commissioner. In results updated Monday, Kim was ahead by a 53.47% to 46.53% margin.
Kim is a former San Francisco supervisor.
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.
State Board of Equalization
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.
Superintendent of Public Instruction
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.