California governor primary tight: Hilton leads Becerra

With two weeks until California’s June 2 primary election, the race for governor has narrowed to a tight contest between Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra, with billionaire Tom Steyer trailing but still within striking distance, according to the latest polling.

A survey commissioned by the California Democratic Party and conducted between May 14 and 16 found Hilton leading with 22 percent support among likely voters, followed closely by Becerra at 21 percent. Steyer held 15 percent, while Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco registered 10 percent. Former U.S. Representative Katie Porter, a Democrat, stood at 7 percent, and no other candidate reached double digits.

Under California’s “jungle primary” system, the top two vote getters, regardless of party affiliation, will advance to the November general election. The most likely outcome, according to political analysts, is a matchup between Hilton and Becerra. A less likely scenario would see Hilton and Steyer finishing first and second, or two Democrats taking both top spots.

Becerra, a former California attorney general and U.S. health and human services secretary, has surged in the polls since former...