Democrat Xavier Becerra defeated Republican Steve Hilton to become California's next governor and the state's first elected Latino governor, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The Associated Press called the race at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, as polls closed. Hilton conceded a little before 9:15 p.m., the Los Angeles Times reported.

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.

Who won the governor's race

Becerra, a former California attorney general and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services under former President Joe Biden, replaces termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom. He previously served a dozen terms in Congress representing Los Angeles, according to KTVU. His campaign priorities included health care, affordable housing, disaster preparedness and opposing the Trump administration.

Hilton, a former Fox News host and adviser to British Prime Minister David Cameron, had never held elected office, KTVU reported. He pledged to lower gas prices to $3 per gallon, cut utility bills, eliminate state income taxes on earnings under $150,000 and abolish the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). President Donald Trump endorsed Hilton.

The two debated once, in September, according to CalMatters. Becerra linked Hilton to Trump, while Hilton accused Becerra of dodging the state's problems.

Democrats outnumber Republicans roughly two-to-one among California's registered voters, according to KTVU. About 45% of voters are registered as Democrats and 25% as Republicans. The state has not elected a Republican to statewide office since 2006.

Polls showed a wide gap

Becerra entered Election Day with a commanding lead. A UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times, published Oct. 30, showed Becerra at 61% among likely voters compared with 34% for Hilton. That poll surveyed 1,477 likely voters and carried a margin of error of 3 percentage points.

IGS Poll Director Mark DiCamillo told the Times: "He's solidified almost unanimous support now among Democrats. Republicans are almost unanimous in the other direction."

A Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) survey released Oct. 27 found a similar split: 61% for Becerra and 37% for Hilton among likely voters, KCRA reported. That survey of 1,728 California adults had a margin of error of 3.8 percentage points for likely voters.

What comes next

Becerra is set to take office on Jan. 4, 2027, according to CBS News Los Angeles. Counties will continue counting ballots postmarked by Nov. 3 that arrive by Nov. 10. Official certified results are due by Dec. 11, according to the state's election results page.