Democrat Xavier Becerra was projected Tuesday to win California’s governor’s race over Republican Steve Hilton, CBS News reported, as voters chose a successor to termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom^1,4,6.

The Associated Press also projected Becerra, according to 10News and KTLA^5,7.

Becerra, a former California attorney general and U.S. health secretary under President Joe Biden, would become the state’s first Latino governor since Romualdo Pacheco in the 1870s, CBS News reported¹.

Hilton, a former Fox News commentator who once served as strategy director for then-British Prime Minister David Cameron, was the Republican nominee after finishing second in June’s top-two primary^1,6.

In that primary Becerra took about 28% and Hilton about 25%, with billionaire Tom Steyer at about 23%, CBS News reported; an October UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times found about 61% support for Becerra and 34% for Hilton among likely voters¹.

Cost of living, housing and energy were central to the campaign, CBS News reported. Hilton promised to slash regulations and taxes; Becerra stressed experience and challenging the Trump administration in court, LAist reported^1,9.

Hilton had President Donald Trump’s endorsement; Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris backed Becerra^1,9.

Becerra’s late-October remarks included a possible tax on the wealthiest Californians, a health-care fee on major companies and changes to high-speed rail, KCRA reported⁶.

A Republican has not won statewide office in California in nearly two decades, LAist reported before polls closed; certified statewide totals were not the basis of the early projections^1,9.