Poll shows Becerra and Hilton ahead in California primary

With just days remaining before California’s primary election, a new poll indicates Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton are positioned to advance to the November general election for governor. The survey from the Public Policy Institute of California shows Becerra, the former state attorney general and U.S. Health and Human Services secretary, leading the field with 23 percent support among likely voters. Hilton, a former political commentator and adviser, follows with 20 percent.

The results suggest Becerra is consolidating Democratic support following the April departure of former U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell from the race. Hilton appears to have benefited from consolidating Republican voters as well. Their leads create separation from the other major candidates: billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer at 15 percent, Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco at 13 percent, and former Democratic Rep. Katie Porter at 12 percent.

The poll, conducted in mid-May, comes as vote-by-mail ballots are already being returned across the state. Some analysts note that Democratic voters have been slower to return ballots this cycle, potentially waiting for polling signals in a...