Here are the top candidates for California governor in Tuesday's primary

California's race for a new governor heads toward a volatile inflection point as Tuesday's jungle primary narrows the field to two. Voters consider a slate led by Xavier Becerra, a Democrat with a 35-year career in California and national politics, and Steve Hilton, a Republican who carries Trump's endorsement and a defined path to the general election. Trailing contenders include Tom Steyer, Chad Bianco, and Katie Porter, among 61 names on the ballot, with polls showing roughly equal footing for Becerra and Hilton and mixed placements for Steyer across surveys. The Swalwell resignation earlier this year narrowed the field's alignment. With Democratic heavyweights consolidating support and Republican backing around Hilton, the contest centers on how California's diverse electorate weighs progressive governance against a Republican challenger in a state that tilted against Trump in most recent elections. Becerra's background in California attorney general and Biden administration roles is cited as governance experience, while Hilton's ties to Trump are seen as both a mobilizer and a potential liability in a blue-leaning state. The article notes Hilton's careful avoidance of mentioning Trump unless prompted, a strategy that may influence voter perception ahead of the June primary results.