Becerra widens lead over other Democrats in California gubernatorial race
The former Biden administration official leads Steve Hilton by 3 points as the open-primary race narrows before the June 2 election.
- On Wednesday, a Public Policy Institute poll showed Democrat Xavier Becerra leading California's gubernatorial field with 23 percent support, while Republican Steve Hilton followed with 20 percent among 1,707 adults surveyed May 14–18.
- Becerra consolidated his position as the leading Democrat after former Representative Eric Swalwell dropped out of the race amid allegations of past sexual misconduct, ahead of the June 2 primary election.
- While Becerra publicly supports a single-payer healthcare system, the California Medical Association president claimed the candidate assured members he would "very clearly" indicate opposition to the policy, a point billionaire Tom Steyer raised during a debate.
- Becerra's support surged from 19 percent in an Emerson College Polling survey conducted earlier this month to 23 percent, which campaign spokesperson Jonathan Underland described as momentum backed by energized working Californians.
- The open primary system allows the top two finishers to advance regardless of party, a structure that previously positioned Republican Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco to potentially lock Democrats out of the general election ballot.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Democrat Xavier Becerra leverages experience, immigrant roots in bid for California governor
California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra speaks during a campaign event in Los Angeles, Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Photo by Jae C. Hong/AP) Para leer este artículo en español Entering the final stretch ahead of the June 2 primary elections, former federal health Secretary and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra outlined the core pillars of his platform in an interview with Times of San Diego, presenting himself as the candidate …
New Poll Shows Tight California Governor’s Race Ahead of Primary
With just five days until California’s June primary, a new poll from the Public Policy Institute of California is offering fresh insight into the closely watched governor’s race. Democrat Javier Becerra currently leads Republican Steve Hilton by three percentage points, while Tom Steyer remains within striking distance at five points behind the frontrunners. Despite the tight race, voter turnout remains low so far. According to online ballot tra…
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