Xavier Becerra elected California governor with focus on affordability

Xavier Becerra won the California gubernatorial election with 65% of the vote, defeating Republican Steve Hilton, who received 34%. Becerra will become the first Latino elected governor since California became a state, succeeding Gavin Newsom.

Becerra was the top vote-getter in the primary election and consistently polled ahead of Hilton by double digits. He represented Los Angeles in Congress for years before serving as California attorney general and U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden. His opponent, Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host and political strategist, conceded the race about an hour after polls closed.

Campaign platform and policy focus

Becerra campaigned on a platform of lowering energy costs and working toward universal health care. He supports speeding up housing construction and the state's transition to clean energy. He also wants to find ways to lower gas prices.

He avoided sweeping policy promises, focusing instead on his longtime government experience. His campaign theme was opposition to President Trump, whom he sued more than 100 times as attorney general during Trump's first term. Becerra described himself as a fighter who would challenge decisions in Washington like Trump's deportation campaign. He stated Californians don't expect a miracle from government, just a government that works.

Film industry policy stance

On the critical issue for the entertainment sector, Becerra has made relatively few firm commitments. He has not taken a position on expanding California's film and TV tax incentive. Outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom had proposed expanding the state's $750 million production tax credit to $1 billion, including above-the-line costs, and extending the sunset date to 2040. Newsom will be out of office in two months, leaving expansion of the incentive to his successor.

Becerra stated that Southern California must fight to keep the film industry, citing Hollywood, Universal Studios, and Disneyland. He posted a film policy on his website that did not lay out explicit commitments. Many in Hollywood push for an unlimited tax incentive, which would function as an entitlement and not require discretionary approval from the state film commission. An Assembly special committee held a hearing on the unlimited incentive issue last week, where committee chair Rick Chavez Zbur said the idea is a 'heavy lift'.

Campaign dynamics and opponent

Steve Hilton campaigned on deregulatory policies, tax cuts, abolishing the Department of Motor Vehicles, canceling the high-speed rail project, and ending climate goals. He portrayed Becerra as the embodiment of the California political status quo benefiting special interests like organized labor. Hilton aimed to break up the Democratic supermajority in the Legislature in 2028 and elect a Republican governor in 2030.

He struggled with baggage from Donald Trump's endorsement. Becerra reminded voters of Hilton's link to Trump at every turn. Becerra was considered the presumptive next governor after the leading Democratic primary contender dropped out in April due to sexual assault allegations, with mainstream Democrats coalescing behind him.

Becerra differs in style from Gavin Newsom, who had ambitious goals like millions of new housing units and single-payer healthcare. On the film tax credit, Becerra has stated he will review legislative proposals and work to enhance the existing credit. "I'll sit down with all the legislators to see what kind of proposals are put before us," Xavier Becerra said. "But we're going to fight."