Ex-UK political aide Steve Hilton loses bid for California governor to Democrat

November 4, 2026

Steve Hilton, a former senior adviser to British Prime Minister David Cameron, was defeated by Democrat Xavier Becerra in California's gubernatorial race during the 2026 midterm elections. Despite receiving an endorsement from President Donald Trump, Hilton struggled as a Republican candidate in the heavily Democratic state, with his loss projected immediately after polls closed. Becerra, who previously served in Congress for 24 years and as Biden's Health and Human Services secretary, will become California's first Latino governor in over 150 years, succeeding the term-limited Gavin Newsom.

Who is affected

Steve Hilton (losing candidate)
Xavier Becerra (winning candidate and incoming governor)
California residents and voters
Gavin Newsom (outgoing term-limited governor)
President Donald Trump (whose endorsed candidate lost)
The Republican Party in California
The Democratic Party
Eric Swalwell (congressman who dropped out earlier)
Tom Steyer (progressive billionaire who lost in the primary)

What action is being taken

No explicit ongoing actions are described in the article. The article reports on completed election results and past campaign activities.

Why it matters

This election is significant because Xavier Becerra will become California's first Latino governor in more than 150 years, representing a historic milestone for representation in the state. The race demonstrates the challenges Republicans face in California, a heavily liberal state, even with presidential endorsements. The outcome was part of a broader Democratic wave that gave Democrats full control of the U.S. Congress, potentially reshaping the political landscape and the relationship between California's state government and the federal government under Trump's leadership.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC