Ex-UK political aide and Biden cabinet secretary lead California governor primary vote count

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Ex-UK political aide and Biden cabinet secretary lead California governor primary vote count18 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleShaimaa Khalil ,Los Angeles correspondentandKayla EpsteinLos Angeles Times via Getty ImagesSteve Hilton (left) and Xavier Becerra are in the leadThe California governor's race remains up in the air a day after the primary vote, with British-American former TV host Steve Hilton and onetime Biden cabinet secretary Xavier Becerra at the top of a crowded field. The contest could take several days to decide due to the volume of postal ballots cast on Tuesday to pick the top two candidates for November's general election. Becerra, a Democrat, has vowed to oppose President Donald Trump.

Hilton is a Republican endorsed by Trump. Another Democrat, billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer, was in third place as counting continued. Current Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, is not running for re-election due to term limits.

The Details

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass advances to run-off in race to run California's biggest cityBecerra, who was health secretary under President Joe Biden, has promised he will freeze insurance and utility rates. Hilton, who was once a top adviser to ex-UK Prime Minister David Cameron before going on to host his own show on Fox News, has pledged to make the state affordable by cutting taxes and regulations. The governor's race ought to have been straightforward for Democrats, but it descended into disarray.

A large field of Democrats jumped in due to the lack of a star politician who could have dominated the election. It became the most expensive California gubernatorial race on record, with immense ad spending by Steyer and Silicon Valley support for another Democratic candidate, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. Former Democratic congresswoman Katie Porter also joined the fray.

The contest was shaken up after one of the leading candidates, Democratic congressman Eric Swalwell, dropped out and resigned from Congress in April amid allegations of sexual assault, which he denied. The prospect of several Democrats splintering the vote sparked concerns from the party's high command that two Republicans could advance in deeply liberal California. The state's so-called jungle primary system picks the two contenders with the most votes, regardless of political party.

What Experts Say

There were more than 60 candidates, including one who changed his name to "Barack Obama Shaw". Becerra framed his campaign around his record in Congress in Washington DC, and in California state office. Hilton, as an adviser to former UK PM Cameron, was known for helping to shape Conservative Party strategy during a turbulent period in British politics that resulted in Brexit.

He was also known for his California fashion sense, often without tie or even barefoot.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.