Becerra advances to November, moves closer to becoming California's first elected Latino governor

This is read by an automated voice.Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.

Veteran Democratic politician Xavier Becerra won one of the top two spots in California’s primary election for governor, according to the Associated Press, a finish that puts him in a prime position to win in November and make history as California’s first elected Latino governor.“The people of the great state of California, in the greatest nation on earth, have spoken — loudly and proudly,” Xavier Becerra said in a statement Friday.“We will not be bought.

We will not be bullied.And we are never backing down.

November, here we come.”Former Fox News host Steve Hilton, a Republican, remains in a close second and appears on the cusp of securing the right to face-off with Becerra in the November general election.Tom Steyer, a hedge fund manager turned climate change activist, may be destined to finish in third place – which would be a disappointing end to a campaign that saturated California’s television screens, social media scrolls and mailboxes thanks to the progressive Democrat spending $216 million of his own wealth.Becerra’s victory was declared by the Associated Press Friday evening, three days after the June 2 election – an indication of the competitive race to replace termed-out Gov.

Gavin Newsom and California’s lengthy process of counting ballots.Still, Becerra and Hilton were within a percentage point of one another, though that could change as the vote tally continues.

While he fate is not sealed, Steyer faces long odds to finish in the top two.Under California’s primary system, only the two candidates who receive the most votes in the primary advance to the November general election, regardless of their party affiliation.Becerra would enter the general election campaign with a significant edge over Hilton since Democratic voters in California outnumber Republicans by almost a two-to-one margin, a telltale reason why no GOP candidate has won a...