New California governor poll shows Becerra in lead as primary nears

• A new poll shows Democrat Xavier Becerra leading the California governor's race with 23% of the vote.
• Republican Steve Hilton follows closely behind Becerra at 20% in the same poll.
• Other polls show Hilton leading the field, suggesting a tight race for the top two spots in the primary.
• The top two vote-getters in the June 2 primary, regardless of party, will advance to the November general election.

Democratic frontrunner Xavier Becerra is steadily surging over his rivals in the congested race for California governor, a new statewide poll shows.

Beccera is leading the field with 23%, followed by Republican frontrunner Steve Hilton at 20%, according to a Public Policy Institute of California poll released on May 27, less than a week away from the state's nonpartisan, or "jungle," June 2 primary. The top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, will advance to the general election in November.

Both Becerra, a former Health and Human Services Secretary, and Hilton, a former Fox News contributor, are outpacing Becerra’s closest Democratic rival, progressive billionaire entrepreneur and climate activist Tom Steyer, who is third with 15%, the poll shows.

"There are still a few days to go and always a possibility that Tom Steyer may gain some traction and make it in the top two," PPIC Statewide Survey Director Mark Baldassare told USA TODAY. "But Becerra has seen a significant increase that’s put him in a position where he has the most support overall." 

The other Republican candidate, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, came in fourth with 13%, and former Congresswoman Katie Porter, a Democrat, was fifth with 12%.

The poll of nearly 1,000 likely voters with a 4% margin of error comes as Becerra is seeking to become California's first elected Latino governor since the late 19th century by succeeding current Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is termed out in January. California Democratic Party chair Rusty Hicks told USA TODAY earlier this month he has been impressed by Becerra's surge.

Becerra's candidacy had been flailing earlier this year, repeatedly polling in single digits, until former California Congressman Eric Swalwell departed from the gubernatorial race in April over allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, which he denies.

Becerra is now among the top contenders, gaining 15 percentage points since the first poll sponsored by California Democrats was released on March 24. He has been climbing in similar polls, including the just-released Public Policy poll, by capitalizing on loyal Democratic voters, Latinos, and even those with no party preference, Hicks said.

Hilton still ahead in other polls as primary nears

The Public Policy poll also comes as two other polls of likely voters released last week show Hilton continues to maintain a solid lead over the rest of the field. An Echelon Insights survey released on May 22 showed Hilton, who sponsored the poll, ahead with 25% of likely voters. 

Steyer (18%), Becerra (15%) and Bianco (12%) trailed the GOP candidate in the poll.

Another poll conducted by the Global Strategy Group and sponsored by Steyer’s campaign showed Hilton leading with 22%. Steyer and Becerra were tied for second at 19%, and Bianco had 12%.  

Also, a Decision Desk HQ poll released on May 27 has Hilton (22%) leading over Becerra (20%) and Steyer (16%). A SurveyUSA poll released earlier in May shows Hilton edging out Becerra and Steyer, suggesting that these three candidates are likely vying for the top two spots to run in the general election in November.

At least one more poll conducted by the University of California, Berkeley, is expected to be released before next week's primary.

Overall, California voters are seeing 61 gubernatorial candidates on their primary ballots (which take up nearly 2 feet of tiny ink) that were mailed on May 4.