(KTLA) -- With less than two weeks before the election, Democrat Xavier Becerra has a commanding double-digit lead over Republican Steve Hilton in the race to become California’s 41st governor, according to a new Inside California Politics/Emerson College poll released Wednesday.
The survey of 1,000 likely voters found Becerra leading Hilton 60% to 33%, with 7% undecided. When undecided voters were asked which candidate they favored, Becerra led 64% to 36%.
The poll’s margin of error was 3.1%.
Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, said Hilton faces a difficult path to victory, especially given Becerra’s support among independent voters.
“California independents break for Becerra by 10 points, 46% to 36%, a group Hilton would need more support among to compete in the general election,” Kimball said.
Becerra, a former California attorney general and U.S. Health and Human Services secretary under President Joe Biden, had been polling in the low to mid single digits in a crowded primary field until mid-April, when then-frontrunner Rep. Eric Swalwell dropped out of the race amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
Within weeks, Becerra surged to a virtual tie with Hilton, a conservative commentator and former Fox News host, who was consistently among the leaders.
Ultimately, Becerra won the June 2 primary with 28% of the vote, followed by Hilton with 24.6%, with both advancing to the general election. Billionaire activist Tom Steyer, who spent more than $200 million on his campaign, finished third with 22.8%, falling short of the November ballot.
The winner will succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited and widely viewed as a contender for the 2028 Democratic nomination for president, although he has yet to formally declare his intentions.
