Becerra leads as California governor primary enters home stretch: Poll

Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra holds a modest lead in the California gubernatorial primary ahead of the Tuesday ballot, a recent poll has revealed.

California holds a jungle primary wherein the top two vote getters, regardless of party, advance to the November general election. It is technically possible for two members of the same party to advance to the November contest, and the poll suggested that such an outcome on Tuesday could very well occur.

Becerra led with 28% support among voters in the latest Emerson College/Inside California Politics survey. Tom Steyer placed second with 22% while Republican Steve Hilton placed third with 21%. Republican Sheriff Chad Bianco earned 12%. No other candidate cleared 10% support.

The split in the Republican vote could prevent the party from reaching the November contest at all if Steyer maintains his narrow lead over the Trump-endorsed Hilton. A Bianco collapse, however, would all but ensure Hilton's advance.

“If Chad Bianco’s support erodes by Election Day, Hilton is positioned to benefit," poll director Spencer Kimball said. "Steyer’s path to the runoff depends on mobilizing younger voters while limiting further gains by Becerra, whose growing coalition could siphon support from Steyer.” 

Conducted May 27-28, the survey questioned 1,000 likely primary voters and has a margin of error of +/- 3%.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent for Just the News. Follow him on X.