Californians have picked another Democrat, Xavier Becerra, to succeed Gavin Newsom, the state's outgoing governor who became a Democratic household name nationwide.
It concluded on Election Night after a bruising campaign between former Fox News host turned populist firebrand Steve Hilton and veteran Democratic heavy-hitter Xavier Becerra.
The Associated Press called the race for Becerra as he ran away with 64 percent of the vote.
California voters headed to the polls following heavy spending and sharp political attacks over the state's sky-high cost of living, relentless homelessness crisis and lingering public safety concerns.
Hilton, a former chief strategist to British Prime Minister David Cameron turned Silicon Valley entrepreneur and TV personality, pitched himself as the ultimate political outsider.
Carrying the crucial endorsement of President Donald Trump, who called him a 'truly fine man,' the Republican insurgent ran a disruption-first campaign, relentlessly hammering away at decades of single-party dominance in Sacramento.
During their only debate, he accused Becerra of sidestepping California's major issues, saying, 'All you ever say is Trump, Trump, Trump... that's nothing but an insult to every Californian who is desperate for something to change.'
Promising to slash regulations, abolish income tax on earners making under $150,000, clean up city streets and reignite the state's overburdened middle class, Hilton positioned himself as the ultimate political disruptor.
On the other side, Becerra brought deep establishment muscle to the top of the ticket.
The battle to succeed Gavin Newsom, the outgoing governor who became a Democratic household name nationwide, has reached its climax, concluding a bruising campaign between former Fox News host turned populist firebrand Steve Hilton and veteran Democratic heavy-hitter Xavier Becerra
Hilton, a former chief strategist to British Prime Minister David Cameron turned Silicon Valley entrepreneur and TV personality, pitched himself as the ultimate political outsider
Backed by Vice President Kamala Harris, Governor Gavin Newsom and Representative Jasmine Crockett, the former California Attorney General and Biden Health Secretary leaned heavily on his long track record in public office
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Backed by Vice President Kamala Harris, Governor Gavin Newsom and Representative Jasmine Crockett, the former California Attorney General and Biden Health Secretary leaned heavily on his long track record in public office.
Becerra claimed during their debate that Hilton's plans would yield 'Trump results' connecting his opponents tax policies to what he called Trump's failed federal tax cuts.
Framing the election as a vital defense of progressive values, Becerra highlighted his legal battles against conservative policies while leaning on major support from the California Democratic Party, labor giants like the Teamsters and Planned Parenthood.
The race drew nationwide attention as a key bellwether for America's political alignment, contrasting Hilton's Trump-backed populist pitch against Becerra's established Democratic machine.
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