California midterm election results

Californians elect Xavier Becerra for governor, reject voter ID requirement and billionaire tax

By MADELYN SEVIGNY — city@theaggie.org

On Nov. 3, voters across California decided on a new governor and 14 ballot measures, along with many congressional and local races.

Democrat Xavier Becerra was elected Governor of California, defeating Republican candidate Steve Hilton to replace outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom. 

Becerra is the first elected Latino governor of California. California’s last Latino governor was Romualdo Pacheco, who served as the 12th Governor of California from February 27, 1875, to December 9, 1875. Pacheco was not elected but ascended to the governorship after his predecessor resigned. 

Becerra has had a long record in state and federal government. He served as the U.S. health secretary under President Joe Biden and as the attorney general of California.

Other statewide races included Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Controller and State Treasurer. Democrats Fiona Ma, Shirley Weber, Rob Bonta, Malia M. Cohen and Eleni Kounalakis won each race respectively. 

Californians also voted in favor of 14 ballot propositions. Currently, Propositions 1, 2, 3, 37 and 38 have passed with a yes vote, according to the Associated Press.

Propositions 39, 40, 41, 43, 44 and 45 were denied by voters.

Proposition 39 proposed amendment to California's constitution would require voters to provide government-issued identification to cast a ballot in person or the last four digits of a government-issued identification number to cast a mail-in ballot. It was opposed by political leaders, labor unions and voting rights organizations. 

Proposition 40, known colloquially as the “billionaire tax,” would have imposed a one-time, 5% tax on the personal assets of billionaires and devoted most of the revenue to health care. The initiative was endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Ro Khanna, the Democratic Party of California and the California Democratic Socialists of America. Opponents included outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom, incoming Gov. Xavier Becerra and the California Teachers Association.

As of Nov. 9 races are still undecided for Propositions 4, 5 and 42.

In the House of Representatives, Democrats won 46 seats in California, and Republicans won five. Three races are still to be decided, including for California’s 4th Congressional District between incumbent Democrat Rep. Mike Thompson and Democrat Eric Jones. 

Written By: Madelyn Sevigny — city@theaggie.org