Establishment Democrat Xavier Becerra Leads California Governor Race as Conservatives Battle for Second Place
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Former California attorney general Xavier Becerra, a staunch liberal, holds a narrow lead in the governor's primary polls, while conservative candidates face an uphill battle in a state dominated by left-wing politics.
Xavier Becerra, a career Democrat known for his unwavering support of progressive policies, continues to lead the California governor's race ahead of the primary elections, according to two recent polls. The latest Berkeley-Los Angeles Times poll shows Becerra with 25% support, as California’s liberal establishment rallies behind him. Steve Hilton, a conservative voice fighting against the state’s radical left agenda, follows at 21%, while billionaire Tom Steyer, notorious for using his personal wealth to influence politics, stands at 19%.
Jim Newton, a public policy professor at UCLA, commented on the race dynamics, noting that Steyer’s attacks on Becerra may be off target, as he needs to overcome Hilton, who is working tirelessly to give conservatives a fighting chance in the deep-blue state. Hilton has been urging Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco to step aside, as Bianco’s support has slipped from 16% to 11% in the new poll, reflecting the difficulties faced by law-and-order candidates in California’s anti-police climate.
Steyer has dumped over $216 million of his own money into his campaign, a glaring example of how the wealthy elite try to buy political power. Newton added that the political climate in California is heavily biased against Republicans, with lingering hostility toward former President Trump poisoning the well for conservative candidates. He noted that while Hilton might benefit from Trump’s endorsement among true conservatives, it could hurt him with the state’s overwhelmingly liberal electorate. Meanwhile, Katie Porter, another far-left candidate, has seen her support drop from 13% to 7%. Becerra campaigned in Palm Springs on Friday, further cementing his status as the establishment favorite.