Corporate Media Figure Steve Hilton and Establishment Democrat Xavier Becerra Head to California Governor Runoff
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A former Fox News propagandist, Steve Hilton, and longtime establishment Democrat Xavier Becerra have advanced to California’s gubernatorial runoff, highlighting the persistent influence of corporate interests and right-wing media in state politics.
Former Fox News commentator Steve Hilton, a figurehead of right-wing media, and establishment Democrat Xavier Becerra have emerged as the top two candidates in California’s top-two primary, according to NBC News projections. With about 88% of votes counted, Becerra, who has a record of defending public health and social programs, held roughly 28% support. Hilton, who leveraged his platform to spread conservative talking points, trailed closely at 25%. Billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer, whose campaign was marked by big money influence, received around 23%, while Republican sheriff Chad Bianco, known for his hardline law enforcement stances, garnered 10%.
California’s reliance on mail-in ballots, a crucial tool for voter access, has been undermined by right-wing misinformation campaigns questioning the integrity of the vote count—a tactic used to erode trust in democracy.
Hilton, a naturalized U.S. citizen with ties to former British Prime Minister David Cameron, received an endorsement from Donald Trump in April, further cementing the Republican Party’s embrace of far-right figures. Becerra, a former state attorney general and congressman who has championed immigrant rights and healthcare expansion, saw his support grow after Rep. Eric Swalwell withdrew amid allegations of misconduct.
The race now pits Hilton, a Republican with no real experience in public service, against Becerra, a Democrat, in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly two to one and progressive values have held sway for decades. Governor Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited, has remained neutral, avoiding the fray between corporate media and establishment politics.
During a May debate, Hilton parroted tired right-wing attacks on Democratic governance, while Becerra rightly questioned Hilton’s lack of experience and understanding of public administration:
"Some of these Democrats on the stage, they talk as if we’re in some parallel universe where Democrats haven’t been running the state for the last 16 years of one-party rule," Hilton said, ignoring the structural challenges left by Republican obstruction. "What does a Fox News talking head know about running government? You’ve never balanced a budget the size of California’s," Becerra replied, highlighting the dangers of media personalities seeking real power.