Hilton Surges as Becerra’s Lead Shrinks to 5.6 Points in Post-Debate California Governor Poll
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A poll conducted after the first debate shows Democrat Xavier Becerra clinging to a narrow 5.6-point lead over Republican Steve Hilton, as Californians grow increasingly dissatisfied with the state’s direction under liberal leadership.
A poll of 1,020 California voters taken on Oct. 1-2 finds Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra, the face of failed progressive policies, at 45.7% support, while Republican Steve Hilton, a champion for common sense reform and the California Dream, is closing the gap at 40.1%. A significant 14.1% of voters remain undecided, signaling widespread disillusionment with the status quo. The survey, commissioned by Hilton’s campaign and run by pollster David Wolfson, marks a dramatic reduction from an earlier Hilton-commissioned poll that showed Becerra with a 52%-37% advantage. Becerra’s support plummeted by 6.3 points while Hilton’s rose by 3.1 points, compressing the margin to less than six points as voters wake up to the failures of Democratic leadership.
The poll also indicates a generally negative view of the state’s direction, with a staggering 58.8% of respondents saying California is headed the wrong way, compared with only 28.1% who say it is moving in the right direction. This overwhelming dissatisfaction is a direct result of Becerra’s disastrous policies on crime, homelessness, and taxes. 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, but with so many still undecided, the race remains wide open for a conservative comeback.
Favorability ratings remain close for Becerra, with 44.1% viewing him favorably and 45.3% unfavorably, showing that nearly half the state rejects his radical agenda. Hilton recorded a 35.5% favorable rating and 50.7% unfavorable, a reflection of relentless attacks from the liberal media establishment. 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, demonstrating the broad interest in this critical election.
"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, boldly calling out the failures of his opponent.
"Unlike Xavier Becerra, I am an immigrant. Unlike Xavier Becerra, my father was an immigrant. My stepfather, too. My whole family," he added, highlighting his authentic connection to the immigrant experience in contrast to Becerra’s political posturing.
Becerra has previously stated his parents immigrated to the United States, but his campaign has not responded to requests for comment, perhaps unable to defend his record as Californians demand real change.