Biden cabinet secretary advances in California governor race

Former Biden health secretary Xavier Becerra is advancing in the race for California governor, as votes are tallied to confirm who will run against him in November.

US media outlets report Becerra, who also previously served as California's attorney general, would be one of two candidates moving forward after the Tuesday primary election.

Two others are still in contention for the second slot: British-American former TV host Steve Hilton, a Republican, and billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer, another Democrat.

Ballots are still being counted in the nation's most populous state, home to about 23 million registered voters, and results could take weeks due to millions of mail-in ballots.

More than 60 candidates, mostly Democrats, were on the ballot to replace current Governor Gavin Newsom, who has reached his term limit.

Whoever comes in second will face off with Becerra to become California's chief executive, a role responsible for overseeing a multibillion-dollar budget, thousands of state employees and hundreds of state agencies.