Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton face off Nov. 3 to succeed term-limited California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. Becerra is a former congressman, California Attorney General and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Hilton, a former Fox News host and adviser to British Prime Minister David Cameron, has never held elected office. Both participated in separate CalMatters interviews before the June primary, and squared off in a Sept. 30 CNN debate.
Message to Jewish Voters
Following Hilton’s panel appearance at the Aug. 30 Jewish American Summit in Los Angeles, The Jewish Journal asked what he would tell lifelong Jewish Democrats who had never voted Republican but should consider him. “You don’t have to become a Republican,” Hilton told the Journal. “You don’t have to support President Trump. You just have to vote. You don’t have to change your politics. You don’t have to change your party. You just have to vote for change in this election. It’s a very clear choice.”
If victorious, Hilton would be the first Republican governor of California since Arnold Schwarzenegger from 2003-2011.
“Genocide” Designation
CalMatters asked both candidates whether Israel’s actions in Gaza constituted genocide.
“No,” Hilton said. Becerra did not answer yes or no, instead criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and the death toll in Gaza.
“I think what the Netanyahu government has done in Israel cannot be classified as within international norms,” Becerra said. “I think the number of people who died in Gaza during the Israeli action was extreme. I think Netanyahu should answer for all he has done before the international community.”
Antisemitism and Jewish Community Security
At the May 9, 2025 JPAC Capitol Summit in Sacramento, Becerra condemned antisemitism in politics, schools and communities. “There is no place for antisemitism in California, not in our politics,” Becerra said. “Not in our politics. Not in our classrooms, not in our communities.”
Becerra also distinguished lawful expression from threats and intimidation. “It must be safe to worship, to learn, to recreate and, certainly, we must protect lawful expression. But threats, intimidation or violence must not be tolerated.” He also supported nonprofit security grants for threatened institutions, “not as a symbolic gesture, but as a real ongoing commitment to protect institutions that face very real ongoing threats.” As attorney general, Becerra condemned antisemitic vandalism at an Irvine synagogue in 2018, days after the Tree of Life synagogue massacre.
Antisemitism in Schools and Ethnic Studies
Newsom signed AB 715 and SB 48 in October 2025, strengthening protections against antisemitism and discrimination in public schools. During Hilton’s August summit panel, a moderator alleged that ethnic studies curricula contained antisemitic and antizionist material and asked how Hilton would change them. “An absolute abomination,” Hilton said.
Hilton proposed using appointments to the State Board of Education to change education policy. “And the good news is that I can stop it because it’s coming from the state.”
Taxes and Affordability
Hilton proposes exempting the first $150,000 of income from state income tax and repealing the gasoline excise tax. During the Sept. 30 CNN debate, moderator Jake Tapper asked Becerra whether Hilton’s proposed cuts would bring Californians financial relief. Becerra argued that Hilton’s broader plan would also benefit wealthy Californians and reduce funding for schools and other services.
“The math doesn’t add up with what he’s talking about,” Becerra said. “He’s going to have to take it out of somewhere. It will come out of our schools.”
Hilton said canceling high-speed rail and reducing government spending would help finance the cuts. “The quickest way to get more money in people’s pockets is for the government to take less out,” Hilton said.
Housing
Asked how many homes he would build during a four-year term, Hilton did not provide a number. He proposed capping government fees and regulatory costs at $50,000 per new home and developing 10 new communities.
Becerra proposed at least doubling the rate of construction, speeding approvals and enforcing state housing laws against local governments, citing his lawsuit against Huntington Beach.
During the CNN debate, Hilton challenged Becerra’s approach to lowering housing costs.
“He hasn’t explained how he would actually reduce the cost of housing,” Hilton said.
“I just did,” Becerra replied.
Homelessness
CalMatters asked both candidates when someone sleeping outside should face arrest or criminal penalties.
“I believe that someone who’s sleeping outside shouldn’t be treated as a criminal,” Becerra said. He supported shelter and treatment but said people refusing offered assistance should not necessarily remain on the streets.
“Look, we’ve got to remove the homeless encampments,” Hilton said. He advocated enforcing restrictions on street camping while providing addiction treatment and mental-health services.
During the CNN debate, Hilton challenged Becerra over previously giving Newsom an A on homelessness. Becerra said local governments needed greater accountability and pledged to clear encampments.
“We will make sure the encampments are cleared. We will make sure that we are enforcing the law,” Becerra said.
Crime and Proposition 36
Asked by CalMatters whether California was on the right track after voters approved Proposition 36 in 2024, Becerra supported implementing the measure, including its drug-treatment provisions.
“The important part of Prop 36 is making sure we provide the noncriminal support to get someone who, for example, is drug addicted, into treatment so we can get them back on their feet,” Becerra said.
Hilton argued that the measure was inadequately funded and implemented, calling for stronger enforcement, rehabilitation and retaining prison capacity.
“Because if you don’t have that combination of accountability and punishment and rehabilitation, you’re just going to see crime continue to rise,” Hilton said.
Immigration and Donald Trump
During the CNN debate, Tapper asked whether Hilton would direct California police to assist federal deportations beyond cases involving dangerous criminals. “I would follow the law,” Hilton said, referring to California’s sanctuary law. He also prioritized removing immigrants who had committed dangerous crimes, without directly answering whether state police would provide broader assistance.
Becerra has criticized Trump’s immigration enforcement policies and pledged to challenge federal actions he considers unlawful. Asked separately about reducing undocumented border crossings, Becerra supported regulated immigration while opposing enforcement practices he considered abusive.
Proposition 39
During the CNN debate, Hilton said he trusted the June primary process when questioned about Trump’s allegations of fraudulent California elections. Becerra opposed Proposition 39, a proposed voter-identification requirement, arguing it would make voting harder.
“There’s a majority in this state who agree that it’s reasonable to show I.D. when you vote,” Hilton said.
Recent Polls
An Emerson College survey conducted Oct. 17–19 found Becerra leading Hilton 60% to 33% among likely voters, with 7% undecided. A PPIC survey conducted Sept. 4–10 had Becerra ahead 60% to 38%. In the June primary, the certified results were Becerra at 27.98%, Hilton at 24.59% and Democrat Tom Steyer in third place at 22.79%.
