Here are the top candidates for California governor in Tuesday's primary

California’s jungle primary on June 4 will determine the top two candidates to replace Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, with Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton leading polls among Democrats and Republicans, respectively, though billionaire Tom Steyer is spending heavily to boost his visibility. The race was disrupted by Rep. Eric Swalwell’s withdrawal in April after a sexual assault accusation, reshuffling support among establishment Democrats and leaving Becerra as the front-runner among them, while Hilton benefits from Donald Trump’s endorsement despite California’s strong Democratic lean." "article": "California voters will decide the state’s next governor in a June 4 primary where the top two candidates—regardless of party—will advance to the November general election. The race to replace outgoing Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom has narrowed after Rep. Eric Swalwell dropped out in April amid sexual assault allegations, reshaping the field. Polls from May show Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton each holding around 20% support among likely voters, with billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer also drawing significant attention due to his record-breaking spending on ads. Becerra, a 35-year California political veteran, served as attorney general under Gov. Jerry Brown and later as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden. His experience fighting Trump’s policies in court and his alignment with labor unions and progressive groups like Planned Parenthood have solidified his support among establishment Democrats. However, scrutiny remains over his tenure as health secretary and a campaign finance scandal involving a convicted aide. Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host and conservative commentator originally from England, is the Republican frontrunner after securing Donald Trump’s endorsement. His campaign focuses on tax cuts, including eliminating taxes on the first $100,000 of income, and reducing gas prices, though his ties to Trump may hinder his appeal in deep-blue California. Hilton has framed his run as a check on Democratic dominance in Sacramento, contrasting with Chad Bianco’s more culture-focused Republican campaign. Tom Steyer, a San Francisco hedge fund billionaire, has dominated airwaves with ads funded by his personal fortune, positioning himself as a progressive alternative to Becerra. His spending has made him a major player, though polls show him trailing Becerra and Hilton. The race includes 61 candidates total, but only a handful—like Democratic Katie Porter and Republican Chad Bianco—remain competitive, with most others polling below 10%. California’s jungle primary system, adopted in 2010, allows all voters to choose from the full candidate list, with party labels omitted. The top two vote-getters, regardless of affiliation, will face off in November, reflecting the state’s political diversity. The outcome will influence not just California’s future but also national debates on progressive policies and Republican opposition strategies.