Becerra's lead over Hilton narrows to 5.6 points in post-debate California governor poll

A poll of 1,020 California voters taken on Oct. 1-2 finds Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra at 45.7% support, while Republican Steve Hilton trails at 40.1%, leaving 14.1% undecided. The survey, commissioned by Hilton’s campaign and run by pollster David Wolfson, marks a reduction from an earlier Hilton-commissioned poll that showed Becerra with a 52%-37% advantage. Becerra’s backing fell by 6.3 points and Hilton’s rose by 3.1 points, compressing the margin to less than six points.

The poll also indicates a generally negative view of the state’s direction, with 58.8% of respondents saying California is headed the wrong way, compared with 28.1% who say it is moving in the right direction. Among undecided voters who were asked which candidate they would lean toward if forced to choose, 72.5% said Becerra and 27.5% said Hilton.

Favorability ratings remain close for Becerra, with 44.1% viewing him favorably and 45.3% unfavorably. Hilton recorded a 35.5% favorable rating and 50.7% unfavorable. About 11.2% of respondents watched most of the Oct. 1 debate on CNN, 9.5% saw part of it, roughly 20% viewed clips online or in news coverage, and another 20% followed coverage without watching the debate.

"Unlike Becerra (because I’ve been out there listening to the people), I know Becerra’s policies have destroyed the California Dream. My plans will restore it," Hilton wrote on social media.

"Unlike Xavier Becerra, I am an immigrant. Unlike Xavier Becerra, my father was an immigrant. My stepfather, too. My whole family," he added.

Becerra has previously stated his parents immigrated to the United States. The campaign for Becerra has not responded to requests for comment.