Former Fox News host and small-business owner Steve Hilton (R) will face a head-to-head runoff election against former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra (D) in the California gubernatorial race, according to the Associated Press.
As of Wednesday morning, more than a week after Election Day, California has completed counting 91% of the ballots. Becerra has secured nearly 2.4 million votes, 27.9%, and Hilton received just over 2.1 million votes, 25%. Climate advocate and businessman Tom Steyer (D) trailed in third place with roughly 1.9 million votes, 22.5%.
‘He represents that kind of energy we need.’
Steyer released a statement Tuesday conceding to Hilton.
“It’s now clear that we do not have the votes necessary to advance to the general election in November,” he stated. “Today, my message to you is simple: Pay attention. Know what you deserve, and know who is on your side. Understand who the villains are, and say their names out loud. Continue to demand more from your leaders and your government, until they give you the California — and the country — you know you deserve. I will be with you all the way.”
Hilton told KTTV on Tuesday that he would consider teaming up with Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt, who will not be moving on to the November general election.
“Clearly, this city is not doing well, right? We’ve got a massive problem with homelessness. There’s a sense of decay in the city,” Hilton said, referring to Los Angeles.
“The fact that you had a campaign for change that got a lot of energy and excitement, and actually all that energy, all those votes, all those hopes are just now not going to be reflected in the choice in November, I think, is a real problem.”
RELATED: Los Angeles mayor race called for far-left challenger after Pratt loses 40,000-vote lead
Steve Hilton. Mario Tama/Getty Images.
Hilton criticized the state’s election system, which allows the top two candidates, regardless of their political affiliation, to advance to the general election.
“You’ve got to have a clear choices in elections. That’s why I’m so happy we’ll be there in November. If it was a choice between two Democrats, as we’re now going to have in L.A., I don’t think that’s a choice at all,” Hilton added. “That is a feature of the top-two system.”
While the Los Angeles mayoral race is nonpartisan, both candidates, incumbent Karen Bass and challenger Nithya Raman, are left-leaning.
Hilton commended Pratt for his plan to address the city’s homelessness crisis, which he referred to as “very well thought through.”
“Whatever I can do to help make that happen, including working with him or not, I’m not going to rush it, but I do think that he had some really important things to say,” Hilton continued.
RELATED: ‘Fraudster’s paradise’: Feds plan to file election fraud charges in California
Spencer Pratt. HIGHFIVE/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images.
When asked whether he would bring Pratt into his administration, Hilton replied, “Of course. Like a shot, my door would be open.”
Later that day, Hilton told Fox News that he would “100%” consider having Pratt join him on the campaign trail, applauding the mayoral candidate for his “incredible impact.”
“I’d love that. He represents that kind of energy we need,” Hilton said.
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