Republican Steve Hilton advances to general election in California’s gubernatorial race

LOS ANGELES (NBC, KYMA) - NBC News projects Republican Steve Hilton has advanced to the general election in California's gubernatorial race to face Democrat Xavier Becerra.

Hilton, a former Fox News host, emerged from a crowded all-party primary field to move on to the November showdown against the former Health and Human Services Secretary, beating out billionaire candidate Tom Steyer to safeguard his spot in the primary race.

This comes four days after NBC News projected that Becerra would advance to the general election.

Hilton, who was born in the United Kingdom before becoming a U.S. citizen in 2021, now enters the November general election as a significant underdog.

California voters haven't elected a republican governor in 20 years.