{"id":2644609,"date":"2026-08-13T18:21:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T22:21:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/steve-hilton-gains-ground-in-california-governors-race-but-becerra-maintains-lead-poll\/"},"modified":"2026-08-13T18:24:29","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T22:24:29","slug":"steve-hilton-gains-ground-in-california-governors-race-but-becerra-maintains-lead-poll","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/steve-hilton-gains-ground-in-california-governors-race-but-becerra-maintains-lead-poll\/","title":{"rendered":"Steve Hilton gains ground in California governor\u2019s race but Becerra maintains lead: Poll"},"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\">26<\/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%2Fsteve-hilton-gains-ground-in-california-governors-race-but-becerra-maintains-lead-poll%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=2644609&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>Democrat Xavier Becerra maintains a notable lead over Republican Steve Hilton in California\u2019s gubernatorial race, wiht recent polls showing Becerra ahead 55% to 37% among likely voters. The gap has decreased from a 25-point difference the previous month, indicating Hilton is gaining some ground. However, Becerra remains in a strong position heading into the November election to succeed term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom.The poll highlights the challenges Hilton faces in a heavily Democratic state, where most voters lean toward Democrats or independents who often favor Democrats. While Hilton attracts support for his stance on issues like tax cuts, regulatory reduction, and oil production, he struggles to break through California\u2019s Democratic dominance. Becerra enjoys strong backing from Democrats (88%) and leads among independents (58%) as well. The race&#8217;s geographic split shows Becerra leading in urban areas like Los Angeles and the Bay Area, while Hilton performs better in conservative regions such as the Central Valley. Despite some modest progress, Hilton&#8217;s support remains limited, and the overall outlook favors Becerra\u2019s continued dominance in California\u2019s political landscape.  <\/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\">Democrat <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/xavier-becerra\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1719\">Xavier Becerra<\/a> continues to hold a commanding lead over Republican <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4638462\/steve-hilton-fcc-california-landline-plan-carr\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4638462\">Steve Hilton<\/a> in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/california\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"60\">California\u2019s<\/a> gubernatorial race, but the gap has narrowed as the candidates head toward their <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"11675\">November showdown<\/a>, according to a poll released Thursday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Becerra leads Hilton 55% to 37% among likely voters in a UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/escholarship.org\/uc\/item\/6t74v608\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/escholarship.org\/uc\/item\/6t74v608\">poll<\/a> conducted in partnership with the <em>Los Angeles Times<\/em>, giving the former congressman and Biden Cabinet secretary an 18-point advantage.<\/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\/4686933\/hilton-gains-ground-august-survey-california-governor-race-becerra-still-leading\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Steve Hilton gains ground in California governor\u2019s race but Becerra maintains lead: Poll<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4686233\/mamdani-support-campaign-kathy-hochul-tax-secondary-homes-state-budget\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Mamdani\u2019s openness to campaigning with Hochul shows how far they\u2019ve come<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4686244\/family-oklahoma-candidate-suicide-disputes-medical-examiner\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Family of Oklahoma candidate who died by suicide disputes medical examiner<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">Xavier Becerra, left, and Steve Hilton, right. (AP Photos)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/08\/localimages\/becerra-hilton-collage-e1780364133947<\/a>.jpg?1780397088&#038;w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Xavier Becerra, left, and Steve Hilton, right. (AP Photos)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is a sizable margin in a state where Democrats hold a dominant statewide advantage, but it represents a notable shift from the previous month, when Becerra led Hilton by 25 points, 61% to 36%.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Aug. 3-9 survey of 2,310 likely voters suggests Hilton has made modest progress while Becerra has given up some of the support he enjoyed earlier in the campaign. The Republican\u2019s single-point increase is small, but the movement comes as Hilton attempts to make the race competitive in a state where Democrats have won every presidential election since 1988.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The numbers nevertheless leave Becerra in a strong position heading into the Nov. 3 election to replace <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gavin-newsom\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1426\">Gov. Gavin Newsom<\/a> (D-CA), who is term-limited. Newsom is widely expected to announce a 2028 presidential run.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Becerra spokesperson Jonathan Underland said the poll serves as \u201cfurther confirmation that California voters support Secretary Becerra\u2019s focus on lowering the cost of living for California\u2019s working families and standing up against the hateful and disastrous policies pushed by Trump and his endorsed candidate, Steve Hilton.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hilton, a former Fox News host and adviser to former British Prime Minister David Cameron, faces the difficult task of breaking through California\u2019s heavily Democratic electorate while capitalizing on voter frustration over affordability, homelessness, regulation, and the state\u2019s business climate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The poll underlines that challenge.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIn a state where Republicans have only 25% of registered voters, and independents lean heavily Democratic, it\u2019s totally predictable that this governor\u2019s race will be a blowout for Becerra,\u201d California-based veteran political expert Garry South told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cThe last four governor\u2019s races have been won by the Democrat with 59%, 62%, 60%, and 54% of the vote. No reason to think this one will be any different.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the most recent poll, Becerra has the backing of 88% of Democrats, while 91% of Republicans support Hilton. More importantly for Hilton, Becerra is also winning among voters who do not identify with either major party, leading 58% to 30%.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That independent advantage could make it difficult for Hilton to close the statewide gap unless he makes significant gains with voters who typically lean Democratic.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHilton would need to make major inroads among traditionally Democratic-leaning groups to make this a highly competitive race,\u201d said Eric Schickler, a political science professor and codirector of the Berkeley IGS poll.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, the poll offers Hilton some evidence that his message is resonating beyond the Republican base in California, where a GOP governor was last elected in 2006.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Among Hilton supporters, 55% said they backed him because of his positions on traditionally Republican issues such as cutting taxes and reducing regulations. Another 28% cited his outsider status and opposition to California\u2019s political establishment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hilton has campaigned to eliminate state income taxes on the first $150,000 of annual earnings, reduce regulations, and expand oil production to bring gasoline prices down.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At a political conference in Sacramento, Hilton argued that California needs a fundamental shift in its economic policies.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think it\u2019s an absolute crisis that we\u2019re in if we don\u2019t change direction,\u201d Hilton said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trump\u2019s endorsement of Hilton appears to be a much smaller factor among Republican voters. Only 4% of Hilton supporters cited the president\u2019s endorsement as a reason for their support.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The poll also shows Becerra with a stronger personal image than Hilton. Forty-nine percent of likely voters view Becerra favorably, compared with 43% who view him unfavorably. Hilton is viewed favorably by 39% and unfavorably by 50%.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4686320\/doj-threatens-california-lawsuit-abuse-womens-prisons\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4686320\">DOJ THREATENS CALIFORNIA WITH LAWSUIT OVER \u2018UNBROKEN PATTERN\u2019 OF SEXUAL ABUSE IN WOMEN\u2019S PRISONS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Geographically, the race reflects California\u2019s political map. Becerra holds substantial advantages in Los Angeles and San Diego counties, the Bay Area, and the Central Coast. Hilton performs better in the more conservative Central Valley, North Coast, and Sierra regions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Orange County and the Inland Empire, two politically important areas that have become more competitive in recent elections, are much closer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Becerra Leads Hilton in California Governor Race, Poll Shows<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2646,"featured_media":2644610,"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\/06\/becerra-hilton-collage-e1780364133947.jpg?1780397088&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[24665,37666,39547,36409,44966],"class_list":["post-2644609","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-becerra","tag-california-politics","tag-governors-race","tag-poll-results","tag-steve-hilton"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/becerra-hilton-collage-e1780364133947.jpg?1780397088&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2644609","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\/2646"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2644609"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2644609\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2644613,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2644609\/revisions\/2644613"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2644610"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2644609"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2644609"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2644609"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}