Democrat Xavier Becerra is projected to advance to the general election for California governor, the Associated Press reported Friday evening. The AP has not yet projected which candidate will secure the second spot on the ballot.

California employs a non-partisan primary system, where all candidates appear on a single ballot, and the top two vote-getters proceed to the general election, regardless of party affiliation. This system means the election is not a traditional party-vs-party contest at this stage.

As of Friday evening, with approximately 66% of the expected vote tallied, Becerra had garnered about 26.7% of the vote. Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host, was closely trailing with 26.4%. Activist and billionaire Tom Steyer, also a Democrat, held 21% of the vote.

In a statement following the projection, Becerra declared, "The people of the great state of California, in the greatest nation on earth, have spoken -- loudly and proudly. We will not be bought. We will not be bullied. And we are never backing down. November, here we come."

Becerra, previously the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Biden administration, also has a background as California's former Attorney General, a congressman, and a state lawmaker. His campaign highlighted that he would be the first Latino to win a major party gubernatorial primary in California. If elected governor, he would be the state's second Latino governor, following Romualdo Pacheco's brief tenure in 1875.

The momentum for Becerra appeared to gain in the final weeks of the primary campaign, particularly following the withdrawal of former Rep. Eric Swalwell. Becerra faced attacks from opponents during debates regarding his handling of an increase in unaccompanied migrant children during his tenure.

Becerra's team celebrated his projected primary win as a significant development, interpreting it as a reflection of California's demographic shifts and the influence of a political movement focused on working people and underrepresented communities.

With the general election now on the horizon, the focus shifts to which candidate will join Becerra on the ballot and the broader implications of this outcome for the state's political landscape.