{"id":2607769,"date":"2026-05-28T10:25:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T14:25:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/becerra-holds-lead-in-ca-race-despite-steyers-record-ad-spending\/"},"modified":"2026-05-28T10:27:23","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T14:27:23","slug":"becerra-holds-lead-in-ca-race-despite-steyers-record-ad-spending","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/becerra-holds-lead-in-ca-race-despite-steyers-record-ad-spending\/","title":{"rendered":"Becerra holds lead in CA race despite Steyer&#8217;s record ad spending"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fbecerra-holds-lead-in-ca-race-despite-steyers-record-ad-spending%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2607769&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra leads California\u2019s crowded race ahead of next week\u2019s 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/liz-cheney-trailing-by-double-digits-in-wyoming-gop-primary-poll\/\" title=\"Liz Cheney Trailing By Double Digits In Wyoming GOP ... Poll\">candidate reaching double digits<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019s \u201ctop-two\u201d primary system, where all candidates run on the same ballot and the top two <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/exclusive-poll-trump-backed-kelly-tshibaka-leads-alaska-senate-race-lisa-murkowski-losing-in-reelection-bid\/\" title=\"Exclusive \u2014 Poll: Trump-Backed Kelly Tshibaka ...s Alaska Senate ..., Lisa Murkowski Losing in Reelection Bid\">vote-getters advance<\/a> to the November <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/impossible-gop-picked-up-seats-in-house-picked-up-state-legislatures-picked-up-governorship-held-the-senate-but-sniffy-joe-won-not-a-chance\/\" title=\"IMPOSSIBLE: GOP Picked Up Seats in House, Picked Up State Legislatures, Picked Up Governorship, Held the Senate -- But Sniffy Joe Won?... NOT A CHANCE\">general election<\/a>, 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\u2019s endorsement and Becerra picking up voters after Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/california\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"60\">California<\/a> Democratic gubernatorial candidate <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/xavier-becerra\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1719\">Xavier Becerra<\/a> is leading the race for governor despite a record-breaking spending blitz from fellow Democrat<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tom-steyer\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2792\"> Tom Steyer<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Becerra, the former California attorney general and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/biden-administration\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"445\">Biden administration<\/a> health secretary, and Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News contributor, sit atop a crowded field of candidates heading into next week\u2019s California primary, according to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ppic.org\/press-release\/becerra-hilton-lead-governors-race-majority-back-billionaire-wealth-tax\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.ppic.org\/press-release\/becerra-hilton-lead-governors-race-majority-back-billionaire-wealth-tax\/\">new polling<\/a> from the Public Policy Institute of California.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4585125\/xavier-becerra-strong-lead-california-gubernatorial-race\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Becerra holds strong lead in California race despite Steyer\u2019s record $195 million ad blitz<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4584387\/pratt-cool-crips-bloods\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Pratt says he\u2019s \u2018cool with\u2019 rival California-based gangs Crips and Bloods<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4583355\/josh-shapiro-says-weaponization-aipac-politics-a-problem\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Josh Shapiro says \u2018weaponization\u2019 of AIPAC\u2019s politics is \u2018a problem in our system\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/katie-porter\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"10247\">Katie Porter<\/a> secured 12%. No other candidate reached double digits.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >massive ad buy<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">California\u2019s primary system differs from most states. Rather than separate party primaries, the state uses a \u201ctop-two\u201d or \u201cjungle\u201d 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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While the system often raises the possibility of two Democrats advancing in heavily blue California, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/between-99-and-100-jason-miller-says-trump-is-definitely-running-in-2024\/\" title=\"\u2018Between 99 And 100%\u2019: Jason Miller Says Trump Is \u2018Definitely\u2019 Running In 2024\">recent polling suggests<\/a> that outcome is becoming less likely.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4460164\/trump-endorsement-tracker-gop-2026-election-primaries\/\"><strong>TRUMP ENDORSEMENT TRACKER: HERE\u2019S WHO THE PRESIDENT HAS PICKED IN GOP MIDTERM ELECTION PRIMARIES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOver the past two months, both Becerra and Hilton have consolidated support within their own respective parties,\u201d Mark Baldassare, director of the PPIC Statewide Survey and Miller Chair in public policy, said. \u201cHilton has benefitted from President Trump\u2019s endorsement, while Becerra appears to have drawn in many of Democrat <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/eric-swalwell\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2345\">Eric Swalwell\u2019s<\/a> voters after he suspended his campaign.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Becerra Leads California Governor Race as Steyer\u2019s Record $195M Ads Surge<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4195,"featured_media":2607770,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26135044605646.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[24665,37666,33926,77855,36330],"class_list":["post-2607769","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-becerra","tag-california-politics","tag-campaign-finance","tag-tom-steyer","tag-u-s-elections"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26135044605646.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2607769","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4195"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2607769"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2607769\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2607773,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2607769\/revisions\/2607773"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2607770"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2607769"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2607769"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2607769"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}