Democrats Get Their Dream Scenario in California with Becerra and Hilton Likely Headed to the Runoff

Democrats are breathing a sigh of relief today now that one Democrat and one Republican are almost sure to face off in the California gubernatorial general election in November. A number of senior Democratic lawmakers in the House have also likely been saved from running against more progressive primary challengers. The concern about the future of California politics came as a result of the state’s “jungle primary” system, which requires all candidates for any given office to run against one another in a primary with the top-two vote-getters moving on to the general election. For months, Democrats worried that two Republicans could take the top spots in the gubernatorial primary, handing control of the nation’s wealthiest state to a GOP executive. Then, a new concern emerged when it became a possibility that two Democrats could advance on to November, meaning the party would have to sink tens of millions of dollars into a Democrat-on-Democrat election in one of the country’s bluest states. Now, neither one of those scenarios seems to be materializing. A Democratic former U.S. health and human services secretary, California attorney general, and congressman, Xavier Becerra, is poised to move on to the general election, while President Trump’s chosen GOP candidate, conservative commentator Steve Hilton, is expected to join Mr. Becerra. As of Wednesday morning, Mr. Hilton leads with just under 27 percent of the vote, while Mr. Becerra is taking a little less than 26 percent. In third place, billionaire Tom Steyer is winning around 20 percent of the vote. Speaking to supporters on Tuesday night, Mr. Becerra exuded confidence that he would be California’s next governor. “The California dream — it’s alive tonight!” Mr. Becerra said at his election night party. “It appears that we are on track to advance to November,” he said, eliciting cheers from the crowd. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”In the fall, Mr. Becerra — should his top-two spot be finalized — is almost sure to win the governor’s mansion, given the state’s partisan lean. One poll recently showed him beating Mr. Hilton by more than 20 points in a head-to-head race in November. Down ballot, Democrats have even more reasons to celebrate. A number of longtime Democratic lawmakers who were facing younger, more progressive primary challengers notched first-place wins, followed by Republicans who are almost certain to lose in November due to the partisan makeup of the districts. In the state’s Fourth District, Congressman Mike Thompson won 39 percent of the vote in the primary, followed by a Republican candidate, Ray Riehle. A Democrat looking to unseat Mr. Thompson in his deep-blue district, Eric Jones, trails Mr. Riehle by about two points as of Wednesday morning. Mr. Jones was endorsed by the outside group set up by Senator Bernie Sanders, Our Revolution. In the 32nd District, Congressman Brad Sherman was being challenged by former Biden administration aide Jake Levine. By Tuesday night, Mr. Levine had been easily dispatched despite making the argument that Mr. Sherman was too old and out of touch to represent the district. Mr. Sherman will face off against a Republican, Larry Thompson, in November. “Tonight’s results show clearly that voters in the 32nd Congressional District continue to believe in experienced, effective leadership that delivers results,” Mr. Sherman said in a statement.

Democrats Get Their Dream Scenario in California with Becerra and Hilton Likely Headed to the Runoff

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