Xavier Becerra ’80 J.D. ’84 wins California governor’s race, drawing mixed student reactions

Democrat Xavier Becerra ’80 J.D. ’84 defeated Republican Steve Hilton in California’s gubernatorial race Tuesday, the Associated Press (AP) called at 8 p.m. He has pledged to declare a housing state of emergency on his first day. Students at an election night watch party at The Arbor met the result with a mix of relief and resignation, while one described a “tactical” vote for Hilton. Benjamin Yan ’24 M.S. ’27 said the outcome matched his expectations. “California is going to [be] California,” said Yan, a master’s student in computer science who has voted in the state since 2022. “I don’t think there was any way I was going to vote for anybody but a Democratic candidate,” he said, citing health care as a major issue. From 2021 to 2025, Becerra served as the Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden.

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