Early results from Tuesday's California gubernatorial primary show Republican Steve Hilton leading Democrat Xavier Becerra, though the race remains unprojected.

The outcome is critical as the state seeks a successor to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited and cannot run again [3]. Because California relies heavily on mail-in and provisional ballots, the final tally may take days or weeks to complete.

Initial counts indicate Steve Hilton holds 28% of the vote [1]. Xavier Becerra follows with 25% [2]. Despite this gap, officials have not projected a winner because a significant volume of ballots is still being processed.

The race to replace Newsom has drawn national attention due to the state's economic and political influence. While Hilton currently holds a narrow lead in the early data, the unpredictability of late-counted mail-in ballots often shifts totals in California elections.

Election officials said the counting process will continue until all valid provisional and mail-in votes are tabulated. The transition from the Newsom administration marks a significant shift in leadership for the most populous U.S. state.

“Steve Hilton holds 28% of the vote”

The current gap between Hilton and Becerra is narrow enough that the remaining mail-in and provisional ballots could either solidify Hilton's lead or flip the result in Becerra's favor. This uncertainty underscores the impact of California's voting laws on election timelines, ensuring that early leads are often provisional until the final tally is certified.