California's Chaotic Governor's Race: How the Field Narrowed Before June's Primary

California's race to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom turned into one of the messiest gubernatorial contests in the country this year, and it started with a scandal nobody saw coming.

In April 2026, Rep. Eric Swalwell, who had spent months consolidating support among establishment Democrats, dropped out of the race after being accused of sexual assault, according to the Associated Press. His exit blew open a field that had been trending toward an early frontrunner.

California doesn't run traditional party primaries. Since 2010, the state has used a "jungle primary" system: every candidate, regardless of party, appears on the same ballot, and the top two vote-getters advance to the general election no matter their party affiliation. All 61 names seeking the governorship appeared in front of every voter on the same ballot.

Becerra Consolidates the Democratic Establishment

After Swalwell dropped out, Xavier Becerra picked up the pieces. Becerra has spent 35 years in California and national politics, according to the Associated Press. He served in Democratic House leadership before then-Gov. Jerry Brown picked him to be California attorney general after Kamala Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate. As attorney general, Becerra used that position to aggressively fight the first Trump administration in court. He later served in President Joe Biden's cabinet as secretary of Health and Human Services.

That experience is the core of his pitch to voters: a steady hand who can stand up to Trump. It's also invited scrutiny. Some Biden administration alumni have disparaged his record as health secretary, the AP reported, and Becerra has faced persistent questions since a former top aide was convicted of stealing his campaign funds.

Following Swalwell's exit, Becerra consolidated support from many of California's Democratic power players, including major labor unions, Planned Parenthood, and the LGBTQ rights group Equality California, according to the AP.

Hilton Runs With Trump's Endorsement

On the Republican side, Steve Hilton entered the race with President Trump's endorsement, giving him an advantage with Republicans and, per the AP, perhaps the clearest path of any candidate into the general election — though that endorsement could be a liability in November in a state that has voted overwhelmingly against Trump. Hilton is a conservative commentator and former Fox News host who, originally from England, previously advised former British Prime Minister David Cameron. His message is tied to lower taxes and smaller government, and he has pledged to make people's first $100,000 of income tax free and to lower gas prices.

Two polls conducted in mid-to-late May 2026 showed Becerra and Hilton essentially tied, each drawing support from roughly 2 in 10 likely voters, according to the Associated Press. The low numbers for frontrunners in a field of 61 underscored how fractured the vote was heading into June's primary.

The Rest of the Pack

Behind the top two, the numbers got murkier. Democrat Tom Steyer, a billionaire hedge fund founder who has never held elected office, landed closer to Becerra and Hilton in one poll, according to the AP. In the other poll, Steyer, Republican Chad Bianco and Democrat Katie Porter were all drawing similar shares of support. No other candidate cracked double digits in either poll.

Katie Porter, once a college professor, made a name for herself in prior public life, according to the AP account.

What the Jungle Primary Meant

Because California's system sends the top two finishers to the general election regardless of party, it was mathematically possible for two Democrats, two Republicans, or one of each to advance. With a fractured field and no candidate polling anywhere close to a majority, the outcome hinged on turnout patterns and which candidates outside the top tier could pull votes from Becerra or Hilton.

Looking Back at the Run-Up

The Associated Press's reporting, which Breitbart aggregated and republished, captured the state of the race in the weeks leading up to June's primary but did not, at the time, report a final result.