New Poll Highlights Corporate Influence and GOP Media Ties in California Governor's Race

"...The even-tempered and, at times, bashful candidate made some big swings during a gubernatorial debate on Tuesday evening co-hosted by CBS...."

"...Becerra made headlines in March when he was excluded from a debate hosted by the University of Southern California, blaming the university for leaving out all of the candidates of color (there were four at the time, though Betty Yee has since dropped out)...."

"...Becerra received decent air time during this debate. He got spicy at one moment when he said his priority is to stop 'Steve Hilton’s daddy,' referring to President Donald Trump, who recently endorsed the British former news host. 'We need someone who’s going to fight Donald Trump,' he said...."

"...When Steyer first entered the race, he was known only by the few voters who likely remembered he ran for president in 2020. He started off with a mere 1% in the first October poll he appeared in from UC Berkeley, but after spending upward of $120 million on his campaign — the most expensive campaign in the country right now — he has inched his way up as a leading Democratic contender for the race. (Most of that money, by the way, came from his personal fortune.)..."

"...During Tuesday night’s debate, Steyer emphasized one of his big campaign pillars, saying, 'We need to make structural change in every one of the places where Californians can’t afford to live.'..."

"...With Rep. Eric Swalwell out of the race, after allegations of sexual assault, some candidates are absorbing his support...."

"...According to the CBS/YouGov poll, Chad Bianco, the Republican Riverside County sheriff, is fourth with 10% of likely voter support; former Democratic Rep. Katie Porter is in fifth place with 9%. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, despite being the early pick of the Silicon Valley donor set, hasn’t seemed to absorb any of Swalwell’s support, staying tied in the CBS poll with former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa with 4%. Tony Thurmond, the public schools superintendent, is last of the named candidates with 1%...."

"...On Tuesday, Bianco, who is a law enforcement officer, focused largely on crime and homelessness. Porter stuck to her same core talking points, coining herself as the most relatable candidate to hard-working parents because she is a single mom who takes her kids to school in her mini van. She has also repeated the line that she is 'not for sale' to special interest money. Among the policies she wants to push forward are free child care and two years free at California public universities. She also pointed to her work as a former congresswoman, citing her own experience crafting mental health support bills and criticizing Gov. Gavin Newsom’s CARE Court plans, a newly created statewide mental health program...."

"...Mahan, whose campaign has received millions from Silicon Valley executives, tried to brand himself as a relatable candidate, saying he was raised by a mother who was an educator and a dad who was a mail carrier. But he also tried to diverge from the rest of his Democratic opponents, explicitly calling out Steyer and Porter for their plans for single-payer healthcare. He also came for the surging Becerra, calling Becerra out for representing the status quo and criticizing him for the work he did during the COVID-19 pandemic...."