California’s Race Heats Up: Who Will Run the State Next?

California just picked its two main candidates for governor in a messy, multi-day vote count. Steve Hilton, a British ex-TV pundit backed by Donald Trump, and Xavier Becerra, a seasoned Democratic insider who once worked for Joe Biden, are heading to the November showdown. The surprise here? A self-funded billionaire named Tom Steyer nearly crashed the party, spending over $200 million to finish third. His loss shows how hard it is to buy an election, even when you pour endless cash into ads and campaign stops. Mail-in ballots changed the game this time. Because California accepts votes postmarked by Election Day, counting dragged on for days. Officials had up to 30 days to finalize results—a system that favors patience over speed. Becerra grabbed 28% of the first votes, while Hilton snagged 25%. Steyer? Close behind at 23%, but not close enough to squeak in. Under California’s "top two" rule, only the highest vote-getters move forward, no matter their party. What’s at stake? California’s $4 trillion economy—the fifth biggest in the world if it were its own country. The new governor will face brutal challenges: wildfires, homelessness, and a cost of living that’s pushing many families out. Becerra, a former attorney general, could make history as the state’s first Latino governor. That’s no small detail in a place where 40% of people trace their roots to Latin America.Hilton’s path is stranger. The Fox News alum once advised a British prime minister before moving to America. Now, he’s relying on Trump’s support to crack California’s decades-long Democratic streak. Republicans haven’t won a statewide race since Arnold Schwarzenegger left office in 2011. Trying to flip that script won’t be easy. Steyer’s massive spending proved that money alone can’t win an election. Even after pouring $350 million into a failed presidential run, he couldn’t buy his way into the finals. His progressive pitch—taxing billionaires like himself—fell flat with voters. It’s a reminder that California’s Democratic base isn’t always eager for tax hikes, no matter how well-intentioned. The race now shifts to the general election. Hilton and Becerra will battle over who can fix the state’s biggest problems. But with so many Californians struggling to afford homes or find reliable water, the real question might be: Can either candidate actually deliver?