Polls/CA Gov Race—
The race for California governor has turned into a dramatic horse race. Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra is staging a come-from-behind sprint to the finish. Once lingering at 10% or below, Becerra has surged to the head of the pack in the new Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics poll.
In the poll results coming out on Tuesday, May 13, Becerra (D) is now at 19%, followed by Steve Hilton (R) and Tom Steyer (D) each with 17%, Chad Bianco (R) 11%, Katie Porter (D) at 10%, Matt Mahan (D) at 8%, and Antonio Villaraigosa (D) at 4%. “Xavier Becerra tops the crowded California primary for the first time in an Emerson poll, his support increased by nine points since mid-April,” explained Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling.
Becerra, along with the rest of the candidates, got new interest from the voters after the recent sudden departure from the race by former Congressman Eric Swalwell, following sexual allegations and reports of misconduct. Now that Becerra is a leading contender for governor, he’s in the spotlight and being targeted by other candidates as well. It’s a sudden and tough position for Becerra, just days before the June 2 primary.
Meanwhile, the race is still too close to call. The undecided voters are 12% according to this poll. In the California system, the top two vote-getters in statewide and congressional races, regardless of party affiliation, advance to the general election set for November 3.
