Xavier Becerra is the Democratic opponent running for governor of California in the 2026 election.
Posted by On with Kara Swisher, Checked
- Sources
- 6 support2 context
- Said
- 1 time·
- Confidence
- 90%
On with Kara SwisherAug 10, 2026
Multiple reliable sources (AP, Reuters, KPBS/CalMatters, Desert Sun, Daily Cal) confirm Xavier Becerra advanced from the June 2026 primary as the Democratic nominee facing Republican Steve Hilton in the November 2026 general election for California governor.
Our two reads of who says this, and how, disagree, so it counts as the post's own claim.
This claim is about the present, so it is judged as of the day it was checked.
What was said
… He's also someone who's a lot more thoughtful, and he is the kind of Republican, absent Donald Trump, if he didn't have to be so close to him, that might be interesting to a lot of voters. We've also reached out to Hilton's Democratic opponent, former Health and Human Services Secretary Javier Basera. His team declined an interview at this time. I don't think that's a great idea for anyone running for governor. They should talk to reporters and give interviews and not be safe. Sorry, sorry, Basera, but you should have talked to me. …
On with Kara Swisher · · from the transcriptPost →What we found
Supports. AP reports Democrat Xavier Becerra advanced to the general election for California governor after the June 2026 primary, with Republican Steve Hilton among the top rivals.[1]
Supports. Desert Sun and Ark coverage confirm Becerra and Hilton advanced through the top-two primary, with Becerra finishing first at 28% and Hilton second at 24.6%.[3][4]
Supports. KPBS/CalMatters describes Becerra as the Democratic candidate in a race against Republican Steve Hilton, and Reuters and LA Times coverage in late October refers to Becerra as the Democratic opponent in the general election.[2][5][6]
Context. Sources published after the claim's date show the race continuing to the November 3 election; the claim's present-tense framing was accurate on 2026-08-10.[7][8]
Sources
8 sources: 2 fact-checkers, 6 not rated
- 1Democrat Xavier Becerra advances in California ...apnews.com · fact-checker · cited for: supports
- 2Hilton bid tests Democrats' 16-year grip on California governor's officereuters.com · fact-checker · cited for: supports
- 3Open governor's race, billionaire tax top California ballot | The Arkthearknewspaper.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 4California governor race Becerra, Hilton election night updatesdesertsun.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 5Becerra widens lead in governor's race as voter focus shifts to Trump, new poll showslatimes.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 6The final stretch: Catch up on what’s happened in the ...kpbs.org · not rated · cited for: supports
- 7Xavier Becerra's ‘California dream' faces reality check as governor's mansion beckonsyahoo.com · not rated · cited for: context
- 8Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton face off in California gubernatorial electiondailycal.org · not rated · cited for: context
Where this claim was made
Said in 1 published post
Related claims
- Rob Bonta is a candidate for reelection in 2026.True
- Xavier Becerra was appointed as Secretary of Health and Human Services, creating a vacancy in the California Attorney General office.True
- California held its primary election on June 2, 2026.True
- Eric Swalwell was a candidate in the California governor's race.True
- California Attorney General Rob Bonta was appointed to his position by Governor Gavin Newsom to fill a vacancy.True