New poll shows the leading candidates in the California governor's race

[rangerrebew]

New poll shows the leading candidates in the California governor's race
By Anabel Sosa,
Senior California politics reporter
April 29, 2026
 
 

The most recent poll of the California governor’s race shows that Xavier Becerra, the former state attorney general, is one of two leading Democrats in the race after an April surge.

The poll, published Monday by CBS and YouGov, asked likely voters dozens of questions about their feelings on the race, including which gubernatorial candidate they’re most likely to vote for and their opinions on major state and national issues.

Republican candidate and former Fox News host Steve Hilton remains in the lead with 16% of voter support. Billionaire Tom Steyer, a Democrat, is second with 15%, and Becerra is in third with 13% — a considerable bump in support compared with previous polls.

Becerra has a high-profile resume, previously serving as attorney general in California and then as health and human services secretary in the Biden administration. In the CBS poll, 56% of voters said a candidate’s experience is most important to them.

https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/california-poll-governor-race-debate-22230776.php

[rangerrebew]

In California, can they even hold an election without a representative of every ethnic group, gender, or protest group?

[PeteS in CA]

In California, can they even hold an election without a representative of every ethnic group, gender, or protest group?

Looking at SFGate's top 3:

* Hilton is white and a political consultant for conservatives (UK and US);

* Steyer is white, a billionaire, and a Socialist;

* Becerra is Hispanic (born in the US, as was his father), a former California Attorney General (an elected position) as well as LIEden's SecHHS. He's no more an activist than, e.g., R candidate Hilton. Hispanics running for office may be uncommon in some states, but not in CA, and CA Hispanics span the political spectrum.

[mountaineer]

Oh, my sides!  Katie "Mrs. Potatohead*" Porter tells us she's just like us! Except she doesn't mention she's a single mom because her husband didn't appreciate having scalding potatoes dumped on his head.

*credit to James Woods for the nickname

https://twitter.com/keithedwards/status/2051633452714172501

[Wingnut]

Looking at SFGate's top 3:

* Hilton is white and a political consultant for conservatives (UK and US);

* Steyer is white, a billionaire, and a Socialist;

* Becerra is Hispanic (born in the US, as was his father), a former California Attorney General (an elected position) as well as LIEden's SecHHS. He's no more an activist than, e.g., R candidate Hilton. Hispanics running for office may be uncommon in some states, but not in CA, and CA Hispanics span the political spectrum.

I can't vote, but I like the dude in the AirStream.  I think he is a dark horse.

[PeteS in CA]

I can't vote, but I like the dude in the AirStream.  I think he is a dark horse.

I believe he's running for Mayor of the Land of LA.

[Wingnut]

I believe he's running for Mayor of the Land of LA.

Oh right.  My bad. 

[mystery-ak]

https://twitter.com/JayCostaUSA/status/2051723804548690140

[Smokin Joe]

Great ad! I just hope most of the folks who see it are yelling "Yeah!"