By Basant El-Faramawy
Democratic former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra was elected governor of California on Tuesday, becoming the state's first Latino governor since 1875. The 68-year-old son of Mexican immigrants campaigned on a pledge to resist President Donald Trump's agenda for the final two years of his term.
Historic Victory
Becerra defeated Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host endorsed by Trump, in a contest that highlighted California's role as a Democratic stronghold. With more than 40% of residents identifying as Latino and nearly half of children having an immigrant parent, Becerra's win marks a demographic milestone for the world's fourth-largest economy.
Campaign and Primary
Becerra centered his campaign on restoring the "California Dream," emphasizing affordability, universal healthcare access, and his record of suing the Trump administration 122 times as state attorney general. He overcame a crowded primary field that initially left him in low single digits, gaining momentum after former Representative Eric Swalwell's campaign collapsed and edging out billionaire progressive Tom Steyer to secure the general election ballot spot alongside Hilton.
Challenges Ahead
The incoming governor inherits persistent crises including a high cost of living, housing shortage, homelessness, rising insurance premiums, wildfire risk, and widening wealth inequality. Regulating artificial intelligence — a major engine of the state's economy — also looms large, as Silicon Valley companies challenge Sacramento's regulatory ambitions on AI safety, labor protections, and data center construction.
