California Governor Election 2026: Live Results
The California Governor Election 2026 is on November 3, 2026. Xavier Becerra (Democrat) faces Republican Steve Hilton. The seat is currently held by Democrats and is open this year. VoteTide rates the race Safe D. Prediction markets give Xavier Becerra a 98% chance of winning. The last polls in California close at 11 p.m. Eastern.
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Updated Tue, 03 Nov 2026 13:42:36 GMT
Results
No votes have been reported yet. Polls close at 11 p.m. Eastern.
Candidates
- Xavier Becerra (Democrat)
- Steve Hilton (Republican)
Odds
- Polymarket: Democrat 98%, Republican 2%
Rating: Safe D
What's at stake
For the country
- Governors don't vote in Congress, but they run elections, carry out federal programs like Medicaid, and often lead their party nationally.
- A Republican win would be a flip from Democratic control.
For California
- The governor signs or vetoes state laws, writes the state budget, runs state agencies, appoints officials and judges in many states, and in many states shapes how district maps are drawn.
- For California, the result decides whether the governor's party matches the legislature's, which shapes what can pass in the next four years.
- It is an open seat, so there is no incumbent advantage this year.
Xavier Becerra
- Supporters say a Democratic governor would invest in public schools and expand health coverage.
- They argue for protecting abortion access at the state level and raising wages.
Steve Hilton
- Supporters say a Republican governor would cut state income taxes and limit state spending.
- They argue for school choice, public-safety funding and fewer business regulations.
Arguments are summarised at party level from each side's stated priorities, not quotes from the candidates.
Frequently asked questions
Who is running in the California Governor Election 2026?
Xavier Becerra (D), Steve Hilton (R).
Who is favored to win the California governor race?
Prediction markets give Xavier Becerra a 98% chance. VoteTide's rating is Safe D.
When do polls close in California?
On November 3, 2026, the last polls in California close at 11 p.m. Eastern. The first results usually appear within an hour.
Where do these California results come from?
Vote counts come from official election sources as they are published (and from the AP when configured). Odds come from Kalshi and Polymarket, and polls from public polling tables. The page refreshes every minute.
California at a glance
- 2024 presidential result: Harris +20.1
- Electoral votes: 54
- U.S. House seats: 52
Other California races: House