Becerra holds lead in CA race despite Steyer’s record ad spending
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra leads California’s crowded race ahead of next week’s primary, according to new polling from the Public Policy Institute of California. Becerra tops the field with 23% support, followed by fellow top-tier candidates Steve Hilton at 20% and Tom Steyer at 15%.Chad Bianco is at 13%, and Katie Porter is at 12%, with no other candidate reaching double digits.
The results come as Steyer pours an unprecedented amount of money into the race, spending or reserving more than $195 million on advertising-over 20 times what Becerra has spent-dwarfing previous spending records. The article also explains California’s “top-two” primary system, where all candidates run on the same ballot and the top two vote-getters advance to the November general election, even if they are from the same party. While that system can sometimes lead to two Democrats advancing,the polling suggests that scenario is becoming less likely,as both Becerra and Hilton have consolidated support within their own parties,with Hilton benefiting from President Trump’s endorsement and Becerra picking up voters after Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign.
California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra is leading the race for governor despite a record-breaking spending blitz from fellow Democrat Tom Steyer.
Becerra, the former California attorney general and Biden administration health secretary, and Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News contributor, sit atop a crowded field of candidates heading into next week’s California primary, according to new polling from the Public Policy Institute of California.
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The survey found Becerra leading with 23% support, followed closely by Hilton at 20%. Steyer placed third with 15%, while Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco drew 13%, and former California Democratic Rep. Katie Porter secured 12%. No other candidate reached double digits.
The results come as Steyer, the former hedge fund manager turned left-wing activist, pours unprecedented sums of money into the race. According to advertising tracker AdImpact, Steyer has spent or reserved more than $195 million on broadcast television, cable, and radio advertising.
The massive ad buy is more than 20 times the amount spent by Becerra and has already surpassed the previous California gubernatorial spending record set by Republican Meg Whitman, who spent $178.5 million during her unsuccessful 2010 campaign.
California’s primary system differs from most states. Rather than separate party primaries, the state uses a “top-two” or “jungle” primary system in which all candidates appear on the same ballot regardless of party affiliation. The two candidates receiving the most votes advance to the general election in November, even if they belong to the same party.
While the system often raises the possibility of two Democrats advancing in heavily blue California, recent polling suggests that outcome is becoming less likely.
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“Over the past two months, both Becerra and Hilton have consolidated support within their own respective parties,” Mark Baldassare, director of the PPIC Statewide Survey and Miller Chair in public policy, said. “Hilton has benefitted from President Trump’s endorsement, while Becerra appears to have drawn in many of Democrat Eric Swalwell’s voters after he suspended his campaign.”
The PPIC survey was conducted May 14-18 among 1,707 California adults, including 986 likely voters. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus of 4.1% for likely voters.
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