Democrat Xavier Becerra defeated Republican Steve Hilton to become California's next governor, with the Associated Press calling the race at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, as polls closed, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Becerra becomes the state's first elected Latino governor. He replaces termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom.

With more than 7.2 million votes counted statewide on election night, Becerra led Hilton 64.1% to 35.9% as of 11:59 p.m., according to the California secretary of state's office, the Mercury News reported. Hilton conceded a little before 9:15 p.m., the Los Angeles Times reported.

The only other Latino to hold the office was Romualdo Pacheco, who became governor in 1875 after Gov. Newton Booth resigned. Pacheco was never elected to the post, according to the California State Library, as the Mercury News reported.

How the race shaped up

Becerra, a former California attorney general and U.S. Health and Human Services secretary under President Joe Biden, argued his more than 35 years in public office made him the right pick to lead the state, according to ABC7. Hilton, a former Fox News host and adviser to former British Prime Minister David Cameron, had never held elected office.

The race tilted Becerra's way from the start of the general election. Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly two-to-one among California's registered voters, and no Republican has won a statewide race in 20 years, according to the Orange County Register.

Becerra tied Hilton to President Donald Trump throughout the campaign, pointing to Trump's endorsement of the Republican. Hilton tried to make the election a judgment on Democratic governance, arguing one-party rule was to blame for the state's high cost of living and homelessness crisis, according to ABC7.

A Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) survey conducted Oct. 16–22 found Becerra leading Hilton 61% to 37% among likely voters, KCRA reported. A UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times, published Oct. 30, showed a similar margin of 61% to 34%.

Election night speeches

At his election night party in Sacramento, Becerra struck a forward-looking tone, according to the Orange County Register.

"As governor, my mission is straightforward, but not simple: Deliver a California we can afford. And defend a California we can't afford to lose," Becerra said in a statement late on election night, the Orange County Register reported.

Hilton, speaking at his watch party in Garden Grove, wished Becerra well while pledging future Republican gains, the Orange County Register reported.

"The change we hoped for may be delayed, but the change is coming. Our fight goes on," Hilton said.

What comes next

Ballot counting will continue in the days ahead. Mailed ballots postmarked by Nov. 3 can arrive as late as Nov. 10 and still be counted, according to the Desert Sun. The California Secretary of State's official certified statewide results are due by Dec. 11.

Becerra is set to take office on Jan. 4, 2027, according to CBS News Los Angeles.