GARDEN GROVE, Calif.—Republican candidate for California governor Steve Hilton offered words of encouragement to around 500 supporters gathered in a hotel ballroom in Orange County on Nov. 3, as results rolled in showing his Democratic opponent Xavier Becerra had won the race.

Hilton said his campaign has grown into a movement for change in California.

“The change we hope for may be delayed, but the change is coming. Our fight goes on,” he told supporters in his concession speech. “It starts tonight—our commitment, our pledge to fight with everything we’ve got to make this beautiful state that we love so much truly golden again.

“But I don’t know if you’re up for another go,” he continued. “We’ve got the movement, the team, the people, the energy, the enthusiasm. We can do this, everybody. This is California, and we never give up. We keep fighting.”

 The Associated Press called the race for Becerra a minute after polls closed at 8 p.m. in California.

 Hilton conceded, wishing Becerra well.

“We want our state to be governed properly, but here’s my message to Xavier Becerra: Enjoy it while it lasts,” he said.

“We’re going to have a Republican governor in 2030.

“We know what it looks like to put together a positive, creative, high-energy plan for the future of California. We know how to do it. We’re just getting started. It’s going to happen sooner than people think. One day soon, one way or another, we will bring that change.”

Hopeful supporters of Republican candidate for California governor Steve Hilton (L-R) Joanna Huynh, Kimberly Ngo, Mardy De Santo, and Sheila Nga attend a watch party in Garden Grove, Calif., on Nov. 3, 2026. (Brad Jones/The Epoch Times)

 Entering ‘The Becerra Era’

Meanwhile, Becerra claimed victory at an election night watch party in Sacramento and told supporters, “You have now entered the Becerra era.”

“What a great night to be a Californian, what a great night to be an American, to be the son of immigrants from a union household, to be standing in victory with all of you,” Becerra told supporters at his election night watch party in Sacramento.

The first Latino to be elected governor of California, Becerra said he didn’t run to make history. “I ran to make a difference for anyone and everyone who calls California home, whether you voted for me or not.”

Calling the state “the most diverse place in America,” Becerra said California is “America’s frontier model—a conveyor belt of invention, industriousness, and ganas.”

“Don’t look it up,” he said. “I’ll tell you now, right now—G-A-N-A-S—guts, grit, and game all wrapped in one. That’s ganas.”

“So let me say this to those in power who traffic in division and disinformation: There is no America greatness without California, and there is no California without our diverse communities. Diversity is not our shortcoming, it’s our superpower, and it isn’t our finish line, it’s our bottom line.”

Becerra said that the past two years have been marred by “chaos, corruption, and sky-high costs.”

“Never in our lifetimes has so much of what we love been on the line—our families, our safety, our freedom: Freedom to love. Freedom to learn. Freedom to unionize and earn a living wage, the right to see a doctor, and the freedom to make your own decisions about your body,” he said.

“Freedom to breathe clean air, drink clean water, travel unpolluted coastlines, freedom to walk the streets without fear of gun violence or ICE mercenaries.

“The California dream is universal; it’s nonnegotiable, and, yes, it is undeportable. Tonight I have a message for all those who have been made to feel afraid: There’s a new sheriff in town, and he’s got a law degree and a union card.”

Disappointed Supporters

Emotions ran high as Hilton supporters held out hope for a win before the polls closed.

Sheila Nga, a Garden Grove resident who has lived in the United States for 30 years, said she supported Hilton because she fled communism in Vietnam and doesn’t want a socialist or communist government in California.

“We come from the communist country, and we went to freedom,” Nga said. “Now I [am] very happy to live in the U.S.”

Nga told The Epoch Times she is thankful to Americans who welcomed her into the country and let her stay. 

“Communists don’t care about the people; they care for their party,” she said.

Nga said she supports Hilton’s brand of change for California to cut taxes, fight inflation, and reduce homelessness.

“California is very expensive right now,” she said.

Steve Hilton supporters Louis and Michelle Morales attend Hilton's election night watch party in Garden Grove, Calif., on Nov. 3, 2026. (Brad Jones/The Epoch Times)

Louis Morales, 59, of Anaheim, attended the watch party with his wife, Michelle.

He told The Epoch Times he volunteered to help Hilton’s campaign with the rally because he held out hope for change and Hilton’s promises to make California more affordable.

“There are a lot of things going on that are holding us down. Everything’s expensive. The groceries,” he said.

He has had two hip replacement surgeries and has found it difficult to make ends meet on his Social Security disability income.

“So, I was really hoping for change with Steve and looking forward to seeing the prices get lower,” he said. “I’m having a hard time getting by because I’m only allowed to work part time, and there’s a threshold of income that you’re allowed to make.”

Morales said he opposes the notion of vehicle mileage proposed and supported by state Democrats, including Becerra.