Xavier Becerra projected to win California governor's race

Xavier Becerra is projected to defeat Republican Steve Hilton in California's gubernatorial election, keeping the governor's office in Democratic hands according to Fox News Decision Desk. Becerra, a former Biden Health and Human Services secretary, has spent more than three decades in public office since his 1990 election to the California State Assembly.

Becerra and Hilton advanced from California's nonpartisan top-two primary in June. Becerra finished first with roughly 28 percent of the vote, while Hilton advanced in second with about 25 percent. More than 9.4 million Californians cast ballots in the primary.

“Brothers and sisters, everything you love is at risk: our families, our security, our rights, our freedom.”

Hilton, a former Fox News host and former policy advisor to British Prime Minister David Cameron, campaigned as a change candidate. He argued that years of Democratic control in Sacramento contributed to California's high cost of living, homelessness and other problems, and proposed cutting taxes and state spending.

Becerra made a final campaign push in southern California on Sunday with four stops in San Diego, Orange County and Hollywood. He appeared alongside Governor Gavin Newsom, former Vice President Kamala Harris and Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff at his main Hollywood event.

A Republican has not won a California gubernatorial election since Arnold Schwarzenegger's re-election in 2006, and has not occupied the governor's mansion since January 2011. Becerra will inherit a state facing persistent challenges over housing and energy costs, homelessness and looming budget deficits.

Voters across California decided between Becerra and Hilton on Tuesday, two days after Becerra's final campaign events. Registered Democrats substantially outnumber Republicans in the state.