Steve Hilton, the Trump-endorsed Republican and former Fox News host, clinched the second spot in California's November governor race, setting up a general election against Democrat Xavier Becerra. The Associated Press confirmed the results Tuesday, a week after Election Day, capping a contentious primary battle that saw unprecedented spending.

Billionaire progressive Tom Steyer poured over $216 million of his personal fortune into the race but finished third, unable to overcome Becerra's late surge. Business interests opposed to Steyer's agenda countered with roughly $54 million to support Becerra and block the billionaire's advancement. This spending war reflects corporate California's preference for a moderate Democrat over a progressive challenger.

Becerra, a former state attorney general and U.S. health secretary, becomes the first Latino to advance from a California governor primary. His rise followed Eric Swalwell's exit amid harassment allegations, creating an opening for a candidate with deep governmental experience. Hilton, who worked for UK Prime Minister David Cameron before becoming a citizen five years ago, leveraged conservative media connections and Murdoch donations.

The matchup pits a Trump-backed outsider against a seasoned establishment Democrat in a state where Republicans haven't won the governorship in two decades. Becerra's campaign immediately framed the race as a choice between his moderate experience and Hilton's alignment with an unpopular president in California.