(The Center Square) – Xavier Becerra has gained a lot of support for being elected governor since fellow Democrat Eric Swalwell’s decision to drop out of the race and resign from Congress, according to new polling.
The numbers could change even more if the number of Democrats running for governor of California thins.
During a Zoom call Monday with media, California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks said, “There are too many Democrats in the field” for governor. That's a concern for Hicks because under California law, the top two vote getters in the June 2 primary - regardless of party affiliation - will move on to the Nov. 3 general election.
“The reality is that there are 60 candidates on the ballot,” said Hicks. “There are still two primary Republicans, and now six primary Democrats, and the initial question in our track shows that two Republicans lead the field" with 16% and 14% respectively. The leading Republicans are former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, and if the primary results match the polling, Democrats would be shut out of the general election for the first time in California's history.
The Zoom call was organized by the California Democratic Party to announce a third edition of the California Voter Index.
The Index is a 1,200-sample tracking poll conducted by EVITARUS Research, a Los Angeles-based public opinion research firm, between April 15 and April 17.
This was after President Donald Trump's endorsement of Hilton and Swalwell's decision to call it quits after allegations of sex abuse.
“Steve Hilton has seen a slight bump over his Republican opponent, Chad Bianco, and now leads the field overall by 3%,” said Hicks. “Xavier Becerra has moved from 4% to 13% and is now tied for third with Tom Steyer.”
Becerra's resume includes time served as U.S. secretary of health and human services, California attorney general and U.S. representative.
Steyer, a Democrat, is a billionaire philanthropist who ran for president in the 2020 election. He financed last fall's successful campaign to pass congressional redistricting in California.
Former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, a Democrat who represented Orange County in Congress, had 10% of the support, while another Democrat, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, had 5%.
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, a Democrat, garnered 2% of support in the poll.
Meanwhile, Hicks said more voters are beginning to follow the race for governor, as the undecided rate has fallen from 24% to 20%.
“All of these are positive signs for ensuring that a strong Democrat moves into the general election,” said Hicks. “But in my view, it's not enough, and our work is not done.”
Earlier in the day, former California State Controller Betty Yee suspended her campaign. The tracking index showed her with just 1% of the support, as was the case with one of her fellow Democrats, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.
Hicks commended her leadership and her commitment to California and expressed hope that other candidates will consider her example.
“I have deep respect for those Democrats who've stepped forward to serve. And I know that they understand the importance of electing a Democrat as our next governor, including the need to narrow the field to ensure that we win in November,” said Hicks.
The chair has called for candidates to “honestly assess the viability of their candidacy and campaigns,” especially those who are “stalled in the single digits” and seeing a lack of monetary resources.
Hicks stood by that call when speaking Monday to reporters.
“Ballots are going to be in the hands of voters in roughly two weeks, and the clock is ticking for candidates to do what is best for California in this historic moment,” said Hicks.
Earlier this month, GOP officials in LA and San Francisco told The Center Square that Democrats are the reason for California’s problems. That is why people such as Roxanne Hoge, chair of the Republican Party of Los Angeles County, urge people in California to “vote differently.”
Hicks told The Center Square that he thinks it is important that the governorship stay in the hands of Democrats.
He noted it’s important not only for California, but also for other states as well.
“When we have what we have in the White House and amongst congressional Republicans in Washington, D.C., impacting Americans across the nation, it's important here in California to have leadership that stands up and pushes back, stands up for democracy, stands up for Californians, and in many ways, all Americans,” Hicks told The Center Square. “So now more than ever before, it’s important that we elect a Democrat as governor in 2026.”
