From left, gubernatorial candidates Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton.(Fred Greaves and Rahul Lal / CalMatters) Californians are choosing their next governor: a longtime liberal politician pitching his government experience or a Republican first-time candidate vowing to dramatically upend Democratic power structures.…

Polls have for months widely favored Democrat Xavier Becerra for governor in the most populous Democratic state in the country. Republican Steve Hilton is banking on dissatisfaction with the cost of living to get independents and even some liberals to consider him.