Becerra-Hilton Runoff Takes Shape as Steyer’s Millions Fall Short
Thursday, June 4, 2026 · 8 min
California governor primary returns put Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton on track for November, with Tom Steyer’s record self-funded blitz lagging and analysts reading a win for party regulars over money and novelty.
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Show notes
California governor primary returns put Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton on track for November, with Tom Steyer’s record self-funded blitz lagging and analysts reading a win for party regulars over money and novelty.
In this episode
- 5 things to know about California's election results - CalMatters — CalMatters
5 things to know about California's election results No matter who wins, CalMatters holds the powerful accountable and keeps Californians informed. Thank our nonprofit team. Donate now ♥️ California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra speaks during an election night event in Los Angeles on June 2, 2026. Photo by Jae C. Hong, AP Photo In summary California’s wild and wide-open primary…
- Barabak: Youth, money, gender and other takeaways from California's crazy gubernatorial primary - AOL — The Los Angeles Times
Barabak: Youth, money, gender and other takeaways from California's crazy gubernatorial primary - AOL Wed, June 3, 2026 at 4:36 PM UTC 0 Not long ago, Xavier Becerra was written off as politically dead. Now, he appears headed for November's general election for California governor. After all the buildup, fear and uncertainty, the most wide-open and unpredictable California gubernatorial…
- Step Back — When headlines say record-setting “outside money” is pouring into California’s governor’s race, what does that actually mean — who’s allowed to spend it, what can they spend it on, and how much control do the candidates really have over it?
Background sources
- Who is funding the 2026 California Primary? Campaign spending explained — Sfstandard
- Where the money’s coming from in California governor’s race — Jeanne Kuang, Jeremia Kimelman
- Follow the money: Who’s backing California’s next governor — and why | KPBS Public Media — KPBS Public Media
- California influencer disclosures offer a glimpse at how secret money distorts American politics | Semafor — Semafor
- Billionaire Tom Steyer’s ad spending breaks records in California governor’s race - WTOP News — Wtop
- Billionaire Tom Steyer's ad spending breaks records in California governor's race - Netscape News — MICHAEL R. BLOOD AP Political Writer
- Democrat and Republican go head-to-head in California governor race | Elections News | Al Jazeera — Al Jazeera
Democrat and Republican go head-to-head in California governor race | Elections News | Al Jazeera Listen (4 mins) Save Share Add Al Jazeera on Google Republic Steve Hilton, left, and Democrat Tom Steyer are some of the frontrunners in the crowded California governor race [Godofredo A Vasquez/AP Photo] Republican television commentator Steve Hilton and Democratic former cabinet secretary…
- California governor’s primary pitted experience against promises of change - al.com — AL.com
California governor’s primary pitted experience against promises of change - al.com # California governor’s primary pitted experience against promises of change - Updated: Jun. 02, 2026, 11:54 p.m. - Published: Jun. 02, 2026, 11:53 p.m. People watch results at an election night event for California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra, Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C.…