Becerra and Hilton Face Off for California Governor as Democrats Target Redrawn House Districts

Voters in California will head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 3, to decide the next governor and determine whether Democrats can reclaim control of the U.S. House of Representatives. The election features a contest for the most powerful state office in the country alongside a pivotal race in a newly drawn congressional district. The outcome of these elections could shift the balance of power in both Sacramento and Washington.

Xavier Becerra, a Democrat, challenges Steve Hilton, a Republican, for the governor’s mansion. Current Governor Gavin Newsom is term-limited and not running for reelection. Becerra served as the secretary of health and human services during the Biden administration and previously held the post of state attorney general. Hilton, a former host on Fox News, advised British Prime Minister David Cameron before entering American politics. The race carries national weight given the state’s size and political influence.

The U.S. House race in District 48 represents a major test for the Democratic Party. This San Diego County district was redrawn by Proposition 50, a ballot measure aimed at flipping up to five Republican seats. The new map places more registered Democrats than Republicans in the district, which was previously a Republican stronghold. Jim Desmond, a Republican, runs against Democrat Marni von Wilpert. The contest remains competitive despite the demographic shift, indicating that the district flip may not happen as easily as anticipated by party strategists.

Local control in San Diego County is also up for grabs in the Board of Supervisors District 5 race. Republican Rebecca Jones faces Democrat Kyle Krahel for the open seat left by Jim Desmond, who is now running for Congress. This district covers the northern part of the county and extends to the Anza-Borrego Desert. Democrats aim to secure a four-to-one supermajority on the board. The board was a conservative stronghold until 2020, when Democrats won two seats. Voters will also decide on Measure A, which would increase supervisor term limits from two four-year terms to three.

In Chula Vista, the second-largest city in the county, incumbent Mayor John McCann seeks reelection against Francisco Tamayo. McCann has served on the City Council and as mayor for two decades. Tamayo is a trustee for the Chula Vista Elementary School District Board. Both candidates have faced public scrutiny regarding past actions. Tamayo successfully removed a fellow Democrat from the school board, a move that drew questions. McCann faced criticism for supporting a business owner convicted of fraud. The race centers on issues of affordability, homelessness, and infrastructure.

San Diego City Council District 2 features a contest between Richard Bailey and Nicole Crosby. Bailey, who previously served as Mayor of Coronado, dropped his Republican registration in February 2026 and now runs with no party preference. Crosby, the deputy city attorney, runs as a Democrat. The candidates have clashed over regulations for vacation rentals. This issue is central to the district because it includes coastal areas like Mission Beach and Pacific Beach, where short-term rentals are a major economic and social factor.