Xavier Becerra Opens Significant Lead in California Governor Race Ahead of Primary

Xavier Becerra leads California's June 2, 2026 gubernatorial primary with 28% support in an Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics survey released May 30, 2026, up 9% since mid-May. Tom Steyer trails at 22% and Steve Hilton at 21%. Becerra, former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary under Biden, seeks to become California's first elected Latino governor since the late 19th century in the nonpartisan jungle primary.

Becerra's polling surge

• ▪Xavier Becerra leads the California governor race with 23% support according to a Public Policy Institute of California poll released May 27, 2026
• ▪Xavier Becerra's support increased by 9% since the most recent Emerson poll in mid-May 2026
• ▪An Echelon Insights poll released May 22, 2026 showed Steve Hilton leading the California governor race with 25% of likely voters
• ▪Xavier Becerra's candidacy had been polling in single digits earlier in 2026
• ▪Xavier Becerra leads the California governor race with 28% support among likely voters according to an Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics survey released May 30, 2026

California primary dynamics

• ▪California's gubernatorial primary election is scheduled for June 2, 2026
• ▪The Echelon Insights poll released May 22, 2026 was sponsored by Steve Hilton
• ▪The Emerson College Polling survey of the California governor race surveyed 1,000 likely voters May 27-28, 2026 and reported a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points
• ▪4% of likely voters polled in the Emerson College survey were still undecided in the California governor race
• ▪Gavin Newsom is termed out as California governor in January 2027

Candidate backgrounds

• ▪Steve Hilton has been endorsed by President Donald Trump in the California governor race
• ▪Xavier Becerra is seeking to become California's first elected Latino governor since the late 19th century
• ▪Former California Congressman Eric Swalwell departed from the gubernatorial race in April 2026 over allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, which Eric Swalwell denies
• ▪Xavier Becerra served in Congress representing California in the House of Representatives from 1993 until 2017
• ▪Xavier Becerra served as California Attorney General before becoming U.S. Health and Human Services secretary in the Biden administration

Second place competition

• ▪Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco's support increased by 1% since the most recent Emerson poll in mid-May 2026
• ▪Tom Steyer has 22% support and Steve Hilton has 21% support in the Emerson College Polling survey released May 30, 2026
• ▪Tom Steyer and Steve Hilton are effectively tied for second place in the California governor race with a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points
• ▪When undecided voters in the Emerson poll were asked to decide who they would support, Steve Hilton and Tom Steyer both received 23%
• ▪Steve Hilton received 20% support in the Public Policy Institute of California poll released May 27, 2026