Poll shows Becerra leading Hilton by 22 points in California governor race

A statewide poll released by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) indicates that Democrat Xavier Becerra leads Republican Steve Hilton by 22 points among likely voters, with support at 60% for Becerra and 38% for Hilton if the Nov. 3 gubernatorial election were held today. The online survey of 1,745 adults, including 1,103 likely voters, was fielded Sept. 4-10 by Ipsos in English and Spanish.

The PPIC results show a broader lead than an earlier Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies/Los Angeles Times poll in August, which gave Becerra a 55% to 37% advantage. Among party bases, 93% of Democrats said they would vote for Becerra and 92% of Republicans backed Hilton. Independent voters favored Becerra 57% to 38%.

Becerra holds a majority across most demographic groups, though Republican-leaning voters in the Central Valley gave Hilton a 52% to 46% edge. The poll also found that 52% of respondents support the proposed one-time 5% billionaire tax (Proposition 40) and that 65% consider candidates’ positions on affordability very important.

Republican strategist Matt Klink said the widening gap suggests a “blowout” unless there is a major shift in the campaign. Hilton described the PPIC poll as “misleading” and claimed it conflicted with another poll on the billionaire tax, but the article does not provide a response from Becerra’s campaign.