Unlike Gov. Gavin Newsom, Democratic Gov.-elect Xavier Becerra has made few promises on the campaign trail and only hinted at certain policy priorities.

Registar of Voters reports that it has counted approximately 48% of total votes cast. Early, unofficial results are reported by the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters, as of 10am, Nov. 4 Results will be updated at 5pm.

Steve Hilton conceded 60 minutes after polls closed Tuesday evening. Becerra's strong anti-Trump campaign and Democratic sweep doomed the Republican’s candidacy.

These U.S. House races in California helped decide control of Congress as well as the future direction of the Democratic Party.

Early, unofficial results are reported by the California Secretary of State, as of 9:30am, Nov. 5.

Some of the state’s wealthiest residents spent hundreds of millions to defeat Prop. 40, the “billionaire tax.” Supporters said billionaires should pay their “fair share” and help fund social services.

Campaign spending reports show that the team spent over $2.6 million in 2026 to influence local politics through independent expenditure committees targeting City of Santa Clara candidates. That’s more than half the cost of the team’s new kicker, Eddy Piñeiro.

Tech interests have spent tens of millions of dollars this year on state legislative races alone. Industry advocates say they want to protect innovation from overregulation.

Newsom warned that federal agents will seek warrants to seize ballots, election records, or certified voting technology while an election is underway and before the results are certified.

A federal judge refused to order California to set aside 20,000 ballots, citing a ‘pattern of attempted election interference’ by the Trump administration.

Following the failed 2021 recall of Gov. Gavin Newsom, Democrats had the political will and momentum to call for changes to the recall process. What emerged was Proposition 5 on the November ballot, a measure to change the recall process.

Often it sounded as though the real opponents in this California election were Newsom and Trump – Becerra talked about Hilton’s links to the president, and Hilton talked about Becerra’s links to the governor.

Democrat Xavier Becerra says he wants everyone insured, but hasn’t said how he’d pay for it. Republican Steve Hilton wants to overhaul the system, but hasn't said how much it will cost. The two gubernatorial candidates debate Wednesday on CNN.

Another wealth tax measure, Proposition 3, that would make permanent an existing tax on high income earners holds a solid 20-point lead in the Berkeley poll. 

News of the warrants comes months after Swalwell ended his gubernatorial bid and resigned from Congress in April over allegations of sexual assault.

The statewide primary total approached California’s 44% average for the last five presidential primary elections. In the last five gubernatorial elections, the total voter turnout averaged just 33%. In Santa Clara County, the voter turnout was below the statewide total, just 39%.