California’s gubernatorial candidates sounded off after results came in for the primary election.

CALIFORNIA, USA — The biggest question for California’s primary gubernatorial election is who will make it to November. Some have conceded the race, while others are waiting for ballots to be counted.

It’s been no secret that the field in the governor’s race is crowded. Voters will see dozens of names on their ballot, but the strongest performing candidates have included Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton, Tom Steyer, Chad Bianco, Katie Porter, Matt Mahan, Tony Thurmond, and Antonio Villaraigosa.



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Speaking at his election night watch party in San Francisco, Tom Steyer said he would wait for all ballots to be counted before declaring an outcome.

“We’re going to wait until every ballot is counted. We’re going to give democracy time to work,” Steyer said.

Meanwhile, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa conceded his race for governor, offering congratulations to the winners and thanking supporters, volunteers, and his family.

“I ran for the people living California’s hardest realities – the young couple who can’t afford a first home the way I could at 25, the families squeezed by the cost of everything, the millions who simply want a state that works,” Villaraigosa. “California is at an inflection point, and our representatives and my Party need to start taking these challenges seriously so that we can once again make California the envy of the nation and the globe.”

San Jose Matt Mahan also conceded in a speech to supporters shortly after polls closed.

“We will take tonight to celebrate all we have accomplished. But we’re back to work tomorrow. This is not the last time I will ask Californians to come together to fight for a better state. Because we can change the conversation. We can change the course of our future. We gave Californians hope. Because we proved we can do better,” Mahan said.

Katie Porter also thanked supporters after her bid for California governor came to an end. Porter said votes are still being counted, but she will not advance to the November general election. 

“Running a race like this isn’t easy, and coming up short is hard, but democracy is worth doing hard things for. Stay in the fight, stay in touch, and thank you for believing in me,” Porter said.

Republican Steve Hilton said the early results show voters are looking for change. Speaking to supporters Tuesday night, Hilton said California is headed in the wrong direction and outlined plans focused on affordability, including tax cuts, lower energy costs and support for small businesses.

“We’ve got everything we need to make California golden again, except for a good governor, and very soon we will have that as well. We are going to make that change happen. Change is coming. Change is coming to California. Change is coming,” Hilton said.

Xavier Becerra told supporters Tuesday night it appears he’s on track to advance to the November election. Becerra thanked volunteers and voters, calling his campaign an underdog effort powered by grassroots support.

“California needs our voices and our values. To the people and voters of California, this is your state…. We will not be bought. We will not be bullied, and we are never backing down. California, thank you very much. November, here we come,” Becerra said.

RELATED: When will California’s governor’s race results be final? | Primary Election


Election Results

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See below for more about some of the top candidates.


Steve Hilton

Republican Steve Hilton told ABC10 he’s running because California has become too expensive and hard for small businesses. His first-year priorities include lowering vehicle registration costs, gas prices, electric bills and making people’s first $100,000 tax free.

For More: California’s Governor’s Race: Meet Steve Hilton


Xavier Becerra

Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra told ABC10 he wants to make housing more affordable so working families can buy homes and retire in California. His top priorities would be building more housing, protecting access to healthcare and expanding education, including preschool programs. 

For More: California’s Governor’s Race: Meet Xavier Becerra


Tom Steyer

Democratic candidate Tom Steyer told ABC10 that affordability is pushing Californians out of the state. His top priorities would include expanding housing, lowering electricity costs and boosting state revenue by closing what he called a corporate real estate tax loophole. 

For More: California’s Governor’s Race: Meet Tom Steyer


Chad Bianco

Republican candidate Chad Bianco told ABC10 he’s running for governor because he believes California needs stronger leadership and accountability. His top priorities would include crime, lowering the cost of living and overhauling state infrastructure and education. 

For More: California’s Governor’s Race: Meet Chad Bianco


Katie Porter

Democratic candidate Katie Porter told ABC10 her campaign is focused on lowering costs for families. Porter said her top priorities would include building more housing faster, offering free childcare and eliminating state income tax for Californians making less than $100,000 a year. 

For More: California’s Governor’s Race: Meet Katie Porter


Matt Mahan

Democratic candidate Matt Mahan told ABC10 his campaign is centered on lowering housing and energy costs while bringing more jobs back to the state. Mahan said he would push to reduce regulations, reform building fees and improve public schools with a back-to-basics approach. 

For More: California’s Governor’s Race: Meet Matt Mahan


Tony Thurmond

Democratic candidate Tony Thurmond told ABC10 he’s running for governor because California is facing an affordability crisis and challenges surrounding homelessness. He wants to expand housing by building on surplus school property and offer tax credits to help families with everyday costs. 

For More: California Governor’s Race: Meet Tony Thurmond


Antonio Villaraigosa

Democratic candidate Antonio Villaraigosa told ABC10 he’s running on a record of results from his time as Assembly speaker and mayor of Los Angeles. Villaraigosa said his priorities would include balancing the state budget, growing the economy and improving schools. 

For More: California’s Governor’s Race: Meet Antonio Villaraigosa

Your Voice Your Vote: California Governor’s Race

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