Becerra Leads Hilton by 27 Points in California Governor Race

Democrat Xavier Becerra leads Republican Steve Hilton by 27 percentage points in a closely watched California governor’s race, while Hilton is making a final-week push to persuade voters that Republican turnout could narrow the gap. An Emerson College survey of 1,000 likely voters, conducted Oct. 17-19, found Becerra at 60% and Hilton at 33%. The poll also found 7% undecided. The figures have been cited as evidence of a substantial lead, but they reflect one survey rather than multiple independent polls. Hilton has argued that he needs six million votes to win. He pointed to the 6.1 million Californians who voted for Donald Trump in 2024 and said their participation could make his target possible. Hilton also acknowledged that turnout is usually lower in a midterm election than in a presidential year. His calculation is a campaign argument, not a forecast of how many voters will participate. The Republican has spent the closing stretch traveling around the state and promoting a wide range of proposals. They include abolishing the Department of Motor Vehicles and requiring animal shelters to notify the public before euthanizing dogs. Hilton is also scheduled to hold a rally in...