Ex-UK political aide Steve Hilton loses bid for California governor to Democrat

Steve Hilton, the former senior adviser to British Prime Minister David Cameron, has lost his bid for California governor to Democrat Xavier Becerra.

Hilton, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, faced an uphill battle as a Republican in the widely liberal state. His loss was projected within minutes of polls closing in California.

Polls had suggested he had a slim chance at victory, especially on an election night where Democrats saw historic wins. He had campaigned to "save" the state from what he described as overbearing bureaucracy and economic decline.

Becerra will be the state's first Latino governor in more than 150 years. He succeeds term-limited Gavin Newsom.

Becerra represented Los Angeles in Congress for 24 years and served as the state's top prosecutor before he became the Health and Human Services secretary in the Biden administration.

In contrast, Hilton - an architect of the UK Conservative Party's "Big Society" agenda under Cameron - presented himself as a political outsider in the governor's race.

His campaign pushed to restore affordability and opportunity in what he described as "the most incredible place in the world".

Both he and Becerra both focused their campaigns on the Golden State's high cost of living, housing affordability, energy policy and relations with the federal government.

Kaynak: BBC News World RSS (Açık Basın / Haber Servisi)