The Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra remain the two candidates with the most votes in the California gubernatorial primaries after just over half of the ballots from the electoral process that took place this Tuesday, June 2, were counted.
With 57.5% of the ballots counted, Hilton led the race with 27.8%with Becerra in second place with 25.4%. If the trend, which was observed since the first preliminary results, continues, Hilton and Becerra would advance to the general elections in November.
The Democrat Tom Steyer was in third place, with 19.6%ahead of Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, who was in fourth place in the table, with 11.3% of the votes.
Keep reading: Closed fight between Becerra and Hilton after the start of counting votes for governor of California
Hilton, British political advisor and former Fox Info presenter, declared that he would give the state a necessary reset after 15 years of being under Democratic Party governments.
“Change is coming to California, and it’s about time. We are not there yet, but the prospects are good. Everything indicates that Californians will have the opportunity to vote for change in November and take our state in a new direction,” said Hilton.
Since 2011, when Arnoldo Schwarzenegger left office, California does not have a GOP governor.
Keep reading: Close races in California primaries
Becerra appreciates the support
After the preliminary results were announced, which place him between the two candidates who are emerging to participate in the November elections, Democrat Xavier Becerra met with his followers in downtown Los Angeles.
“The Californian dream is still alive tonight“said the former California Attorney General and former Secretary of Health and Human Services of the United States.
When his campaign began, Becerra was not among the main candidatesa race dominated by Republicans Hilton and Bianco, as well as Democrat Eric Swalwell.
Keep reading: California holds primary elections this June 2: everything is at stake
In April, Swalwell announced he was withdrawing his candidacy amid allegations of sexual misconduct, which allowed Becerra to boost his campaign until he became the strong card of the Democratic Party.
“We know that the true miracle of democracy is this: It is the people, only the people, who have the last word. And tonight, the people of the great state of California, in the greatest nation in the world, have spoken out with strength and pride,” Becerra said.
A few minutes after the preliminary results were announced, The first candidate to recognize his defeat was the Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa.
Keep reading: They investigate possible cases of electoral interference in Los Angeles
“Tonight didn’t go as we expected.so I congratulate the winners and wish them the best on the path ahead,” the former mayor of Los Angeles said in a statement.
The billionaire Tom Steyer, third in the preliminary results, did not concede defeat in the primariesdespite being more than six points behind Becerra and Hilton as of 10:00 pm on Tuesday.
“They hate me unanimously, and I celebrate that hate. “Corporate interests attacked us with everything they had, and we did not cower,” Steyer declared, criticizing the interests that had opposed his candidacy.
Keep reading: California primaries: Karen Bass and Xavier Becerra stand out in the electoral race
“We were absolutely uncompromising in our values and our vision for California, and together we have terrorized corporate interestsaccustomed to always getting their way,” he added.
The vote counting process for the primary elections is advancing, but the trend suggests that Hilton and Becerra will be the two contenders who will advance to the November general electionswhich will define the next governor of California.
Keep reading:
· José Ugarte seeks to strengthen Latino representation on the Los Angeles Council
· Eligible voters in California must send their ballots by mail this Tuesday, May 26
Voting centers in Los Angeles open for primary elections
