SACRAMENTO, Calif. — August 15, 2026:
Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra holds a substantial lead over Republican Steve Hilton in the race for governor of California, according to a recent statewide poll, giving Becerra an early advantage ahead of the November general election.
The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) found that among likely voters, 61% said they would vote for Becerra, while 36% favored Hilton if the election were held at the time of the survey. The poll was conducted in July and focused on Californians’ views on the environment, government and the upcoming November election.
Becerra’s support extends beyond Democratic voters. According to PPIC, 93% of Democrats backed the Democratic candidate, while 90% of Republicans supported Hilton. Independent voters also favored Becerra, with 60% supporting him compared with 34% for Hilton.
The two candidates emerged from California’s June 2 top-two primary and will face each other in the November 3 general election. California’s primary system allows the two candidates receiving the most votes, regardless of party, to advance to the general election. The Los Angeles Times reported after the primary that Becerra and Hilton had secured the two spots in the governor’s race.
The PPIC findings also show that Becerra leads Hilton across major demographic groups and regions of California. The survey found that voters’ views on environmental policy could also play a significant role in the campaign, with 85% of likely voters saying candidates’ positions on environmental issues are important to their vote.
Despite Becerra’s advantage in the polling, the figures do not determine the outcome of the election. The November contest remains several months away, and both campaigns are expected to focus heavily on issues including the economy, cost of living, public safety, immigration and the environment.
The governor’s race is being closely watched because California remains one of the country’s most politically influential states and a major Democratic stronghold. Hilton, a Republican and former Fox News commentator, is seeking to win the governor’s office for his party, while Becerra is campaigning to lead the state after serving in prominent state and federal positions.
