Son of Mexican immigrants will become state’s first Latino governor since 1875 after victory over ex-Fox News host Steve Hilton

US midterm elections – live updates

Track live results from all 50 states

Xavier Becerra, the Democratic former health and human services secretary, was elected governor of California, marking the historic ascension of a longtime public servant who has vowed to resist Donald Trump’s agenda for the final two years of his presidency.

Becerra, 68, is the son of Mexican immigrants and will become California’s first Latino governor since 1875, a milestone in a state where more than 40% of residents are Latino and nearly one in two children has an immigrant parent. Becerra was the overwhelming favorite to defeat Steve Hilton, the Republican endorsed by Trump.

Former US representative, health secretary and state attorney general is a shoo-in after a stunning comeback victory in primary

It was Tuesday, and the man poised to be the next governor of California wanted to talk about Donald Trump.

Xavier Becerra had come to Guelaguetza restaurant in Los Angeles to talk about Trump’s attacks on voting in the state, but instead found himself answering questions about a presidential provocation of a different order.

The candidates running to replace Gavin Newsom sparred over taxes, immigration and regulating AI

Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton, the candidates running to be California’s next governor, clashed Wednesday over taxes, immigration and regulating artificial intelligence in a testy debate held days before voters begin receiving their ballots in the heavily Democratic state.

Hilton, the former Fox News host endorsed by Donald Trump, used the hourlong matchup, hosted by CNN, to argue that Becerra, a former congressman who served as health and human services secretary during the Biden administration, was not actively campaigning and instead taking voters for granted.