{"id":47041,"date":"2026-08-15T17:38:22","date_gmt":"2026-08-15T12:38:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=47041"},"modified":"2026-08-15T17:38:22","modified_gmt":"2026-08-15T12:38:22","slug":"becerra-holds-strong-lead-over-hilton-in-race-for-california-governor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=47041","title":{"rendered":"Becerra holds strong lead over Hilton in race for California governor"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-element=\"story-body\" data-dateline=\"\" data-subscriber-content=\"\">\n<p><span class=\"dateline\">SACRAMENTO\u00a0\u2014\u00a0<\/span>As the campaign for California governor heads into the general election, Democrat Xavier Becerra maintains a strong lead over Republican Steve Hilton, according to a new poll from the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times.<\/p>\n<p>Buoyed by the state\u2019s liberal voting base, Becerra had support from 55% of likely voters surveyed \u2014 compared with Hilton\u2019s 37%. The remaining 7% were undecided.<\/p>\n<p>Like in a previous <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/california\/story\/2026-06-11\/becerra-heads-toward-november-election-with-major-edge-over-hilton-in-governors-race-poll-shows\"><u>IGS poll conducted in late May<\/u><\/a>, support for each candidate falls overwhelmingly along partisan lines: 88% of Democrats prefer Becerra and 91% of Republicans plan to back Hilton. No-party-preference voters also lean heavily toward Becerra, a former Biden administration Cabinet member, 58% to Hilton\u2019s 30%.<\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-click=\"enhancement\" data-align-right=\"\">  <ps-interactive-project class=\"interactive-project block\" data-use-responsive-height=\"true\" data-module-id=\"0000019f-f26a-dab7-adff-f7ff297f0005\">\n<div data-wc-src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/VbVKh\/embed.js?v=6\" style=\"min-height:818px;\">     <noscript><picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/63808b0\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1636+0+0\/resize\/320x759!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F10%2F17%2F85a133084073a4690df634fd681f%2F90da5565d1c246df80568117429c63d9 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/d35d48d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1636+0+0\/resize\/568x1347!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F10%2F17%2F85a133084073a4690df634fd681f%2F90da5565d1c246df80568117429c63d9 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/ac464bf\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1636+0+0\/resize\/768x1821!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F10%2F17%2F85a133084073a4690df634fd681f%2F90da5565d1c246df80568117429c63d9 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/64eadac\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1636+0+0\/resize\/1024x2428!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F10%2F17%2F85a133084073a4690df634fd681f%2F90da5565d1c246df80568117429c63d9 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/fe5e29e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1636+0+0\/resize\/1200x2845!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F10%2F17%2F85a133084073a4690df634fd681f%2F90da5565d1c246df80568117429c63d9 1200w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"Among California likely voters in the November elections, the majority favor Becerra for governor.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/01c50fd\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1636+0+0\/resize\/320x759!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F10%2F17%2F85a133084073a4690df634fd681f%2F90da5565d1c246df80568117429c63d9 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/2b3789d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1636+0+0\/resize\/568x1347!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F10%2F17%2F85a133084073a4690df634fd681f%2F90da5565d1c246df80568117429c63d9 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/77d5a4a\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1636+0+0\/resize\/768x1821!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F10%2F17%2F85a133084073a4690df634fd681f%2F90da5565d1c246df80568117429c63d9 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/60aef51\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1636+0+0\/resize\/1024x2428!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F10%2F17%2F85a133084073a4690df634fd681f%2F90da5565d1c246df80568117429c63d9 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/9807aba\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1636+0+0\/resize\/1200x2845!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F10%2F17%2F85a133084073a4690df634fd681f%2F90da5565d1c246df80568117429c63d9 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"1200\" height=\"2845\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/9807aba\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/690x1636+0+0\/resize\/1200x2845!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F10%2F17%2F85a133084073a4690df634fd681f%2F90da5565d1c246df80568117429c63d9\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture> <\/noscript> <\/div>\n<\/ps-interactive-project>    <\/div>\n<p>The two will face off in the Nov. 3 general election to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is barred from running again and considering <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/california\/story\/2025-10-26\/la-me-newsom-president\">a 2028 bid for president<\/a>. Becerra, whose resume includes stints as U.S. Health and Human Services secretary and state attorney general, is heavily favored to win the seat over Hilton, a former Fox News host who advised a prime minister <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/politics\/story\/2026-04-22\/in-uk-california-governor-candidate-steve-hilton-was-inspired-by-california\">in his native Britain<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAfter the unsettled and chaotic primary, this is shaping up to be a fairly standard California general election, where Democrats enjoy a comfortable edge statewide,\u201d said Eric Schickler, a political science professor and IGS co-director. \u201cHilton would need to make major inroads among traditionally Democratic-leaning groups to make this a highly competitive race.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>According to the poll, majorities of voters across age, gender and racial categories prefer Becerra \u2014 with particularly strong support among women, younger voters and Black Californians.<\/p>\n<p>Becerra <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/politics\/story\/2026-06-05\/becerra-advances-to-november-moves-closer-to-becoming-californias-first-elected-latino-governor\">emerged from the primary<\/a> ahead of more progressive opponents, including billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer, and quickly earned the backing of their onetime supporters, said IGS Poll Director Mark DiCamillo. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese are people who say, \u2018I identify as a progressive.\u2019 \u2018I identify as a democratic socialist.\u2019 They\u2019re overwhelmingly for Becerra, and it\u2019s mainly because they really don\u2019t think very much of the Republicans as a party. It\u2019s not so much about Hilton himself,\u201d DiCamillo said.<\/p>\n<p>Regionally, the poll found voters in Los Angeles and San Diego counties, along with the Bay Area and Central Coast, prefer Becerra. Hilton leads in the state\u2019s more sparsely populated and conservative-leaning areas, including the Central Valley and North Coast\/Sierra region.<\/p>\n<p>Politically purple Orange County and the economically stressed Inland Empire are more closely divided but lean toward Hilton.<\/p>\n<p>When asked why they support each candidate, voters largely cited conventional partisan issues. <\/p>\n<p>More than half of Hilton backers, 55%, pointed to his support for traditionally Republican policies such as cutting taxes and reducing government regulation. It was followed by 28% who said they prefer Hilton because he is not part of California\u2019s political establishment.<\/p>\n<p>Hilton\u2019s platform includes making Californians\u2019 first $150,000 in annual earnings tax-free, slashing government regulations and ramping up oil production in hopes of achieving $3-per-gallon gas prices.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThose are the benefits, but the underlying mission that I\u2019ve set [for] myself as the next governor is to transform our business climate to make California competitive again, so that we do get the investment and the job creation and start to turn things around. I think it\u2019s an absolute crisis that we\u2019re in if we don\u2019t change direction,\u201d Hilton said Tuesday during a political conference in Sacramento.<\/p>\n<p>Becerra supporters were evenly divided over their top reasons for supporting him; 38% cited his support for Democratic policies such as expanding healthcare and protecting LGBTQ+ rights, while another 38% expect him to aggressively fight the Trump administration. <\/p>\n<p>The poll suggests that, in California, President Trump factors more heavily into Democratic voters\u2019 political decisions than Republicans\u2019. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cOne of the reasons Becerra is doing so well is because of his opposition to Trump,\u201d DiCamillo said. \u201cFor Hilton supporters, not so much. His endorsement by the president is only cited by 4% as a reason why they\u2019re supporting Hilton.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The former Health secretary has an extensive plan to lower healthcare costs and frequently touts the <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/california\/story\/2020-08-28\/california-100-lawsuits-trump-administration\">more than 120 lawsuits<\/a> he filed as California attorney general against the first Trump administration. At the Tuesday political event hosted by Politico, Becerra said, \u201cCalifornia will become the backstop for healthcare\u201d after Trump signed a tax bill with steep cuts to Medicaid.<\/p>\n<p>To prevent an estimated 2 million people from losing their health insurance because of the cuts <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/business\/story\/2026-07-16\/california-employer-health-premiums-will-cost-as-much-as-new-car-in-2027\">and rising premiums<\/a>, Becerra pitched a deal directly to insurance companies: \u201cI will ensure people stay covered. You ensure that you help me reduce the cost. I ensure that you get paid.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Thirteen percent said they\u2019re supporting Becerra because he is a Democrat and 7% said the same about Hilton\u2019s Republican affiliation. <\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-click=\"enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">  <ps-interactive-project class=\"interactive-project block\" data-use-responsive-height=\"true\" data-module-id=\"0000019f-f269-de04-ad9f-f3eb9f0a0005\">\n<div data-wc-src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/G6lVi\/embed.js?v=4\" style=\"min-height:690px;\">     <noscript><picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/6f0bb88\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/640x1380+0+0\/resize\/320x690!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F40%2F72%2Fa2511b884d58a3ff417ae4770210%2F3216e87ff9444ac7a65b887dafd27c70 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/20ffb6b\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/640x1380+0+0\/resize\/568x1225!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F40%2F72%2Fa2511b884d58a3ff417ae4770210%2F3216e87ff9444ac7a65b887dafd27c70 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/e213728\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/640x1380+0+0\/resize\/768x1656!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F40%2F72%2Fa2511b884d58a3ff417ae4770210%2F3216e87ff9444ac7a65b887dafd27c70 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/dda6e09\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/640x1380+0+0\/resize\/1024x2208!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F40%2F72%2Fa2511b884d58a3ff417ae4770210%2F3216e87ff9444ac7a65b887dafd27c70 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/ff7a935\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/640x1380+0+0\/resize\/1200x2588!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F40%2F72%2Fa2511b884d58a3ff417ae4770210%2F3216e87ff9444ac7a65b887dafd27c70 1200w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"Why California likely voters support Becerra or Hilton for governor\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/77792cc\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/640x1380+0+0\/resize\/320x690!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F40%2F72%2Fa2511b884d58a3ff417ae4770210%2F3216e87ff9444ac7a65b887dafd27c70 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/e763848\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/640x1380+0+0\/resize\/568x1225!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F40%2F72%2Fa2511b884d58a3ff417ae4770210%2F3216e87ff9444ac7a65b887dafd27c70 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/25ef1f8\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/640x1380+0+0\/resize\/768x1656!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F40%2F72%2Fa2511b884d58a3ff417ae4770210%2F3216e87ff9444ac7a65b887dafd27c70 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/06b0ee0\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/640x1380+0+0\/resize\/1024x2208!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F40%2F72%2Fa2511b884d58a3ff417ae4770210%2F3216e87ff9444ac7a65b887dafd27c70 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/784e8f3\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/640x1380+0+0\/resize\/1200x2588!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F40%2F72%2Fa2511b884d58a3ff417ae4770210%2F3216e87ff9444ac7a65b887dafd27c70 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"1200\" height=\"2588\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/784e8f3\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/640x1380+0+0\/resize\/1200x2588!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F40%2F72%2Fa2511b884d58a3ff417ae4770210%2F3216e87ff9444ac7a65b887dafd27c70\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture> <\/noscript> <\/div>\n<\/ps-interactive-project>    <\/div>\n<p>Just 4% of Latino respondents and 1% of the total sample of likely voters said they would vote for Becerra because he is a Latino candidate and a child of immigrants.<\/p>\n<p>Each candidate saw a small bump in support since the May poll, which asked registered voters just before the primary election to pick between them in a then-hypothetical matchup. In that survey, 52% chose Becerra and 31% supported Hilton.<\/p>\n<p>Just under half of voters, 49%, have a favorable opinion of Becerra while 43% have an unfavorable view. Hilton\u2019s favorability rating is underwater, with 39% of likely voters viewing him favorably and 50% unfavorably.<\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-click=\"enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">  <ps-interactive-project class=\"interactive-project block\" data-use-responsive-height=\"true\" data-module-id=\"0000019f-f268-df40-a79f-fefc82e40005\">\n<div data-wc-src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/zbCdv\/embed.js?v=4\" style=\"min-height:317px;\">     <noscript><picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/06ff735\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/640x634+0+0\/resize\/320x317!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbf%2F7b%2F1805afe645679b015a58fa4a30e1%2Fcc688b8bf1a3400fab85d0c2577fddb5 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/a1d92aa\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/640x634+0+0\/resize\/568x563!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbf%2F7b%2F1805afe645679b015a58fa4a30e1%2Fcc688b8bf1a3400fab85d0c2577fddb5 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/fb999ee\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/640x634+0+0\/resize\/768x761!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbf%2F7b%2F1805afe645679b015a58fa4a30e1%2Fcc688b8bf1a3400fab85d0c2577fddb5 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/cf6b30a\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/640x634+0+0\/resize\/1024x1015!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbf%2F7b%2F1805afe645679b015a58fa4a30e1%2Fcc688b8bf1a3400fab85d0c2577fddb5 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/2986de5\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/640x634+0+0\/resize\/1200x1189!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbf%2F7b%2F1805afe645679b015a58fa4a30e1%2Fcc688b8bf1a3400fab85d0c2577fddb5 1200w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"Poll data shows candidate Xavier Becerra is favored for governor among likely California voters.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/e79336b\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/640x634+0+0\/resize\/320x317!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbf%2F7b%2F1805afe645679b015a58fa4a30e1%2Fcc688b8bf1a3400fab85d0c2577fddb5 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/f758a19\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/640x634+0+0\/resize\/568x563!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbf%2F7b%2F1805afe645679b015a58fa4a30e1%2Fcc688b8bf1a3400fab85d0c2577fddb5 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/6e2b244\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/640x634+0+0\/resize\/768x761!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbf%2F7b%2F1805afe645679b015a58fa4a30e1%2Fcc688b8bf1a3400fab85d0c2577fddb5 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/433e30c\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/640x634+0+0\/resize\/1024x1015!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbf%2F7b%2F1805afe645679b015a58fa4a30e1%2Fcc688b8bf1a3400fab85d0c2577fddb5 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/683e7f3\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/640x634+0+0\/resize\/1200x1189!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbf%2F7b%2F1805afe645679b015a58fa4a30e1%2Fcc688b8bf1a3400fab85d0c2577fddb5 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1189\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/683e7f3\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/640x634+0+0\/resize\/1200x1189!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbf%2F7b%2F1805afe645679b015a58fa4a30e1%2Fcc688b8bf1a3400fab85d0c2577fddb5\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture> <\/noscript> <\/div>\n<\/ps-interactive-project>    <\/div>\n<p>The numbers present a challenge for Hilton, who is trying to overcome the state\u2019s pronounced Democratic tilt by appealing to independent voters frustrated with issues such as homelessness and California\u2019s high cost of living.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat might, for him, be the swing block,\u201d DiCamillo said. \u201cBut among no-party-preference voters, his image rating is negative, 59% to 31%, whereas Becerra\u2019s image rating is pretty much the same as it is statewide, which is positive.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The poll was conducted online in English and Spanish from Aug. 3 to 9. Responses for the governor\u2019s race poll came from a weighted sample of 2,310 respondents considered likely voters in the November election, out of a larger group of 4,207 registered voters throughout California. It has a margin of error of 2.5 percentage points in either direction.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SACRAMENTO\u00a0\u2014\u00a0As the campaign for California governor heads into the general election, Democrat Xavier Becerra maintains a strong lead over Republican Steve Hilton, according to a new poll from the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times. Buoyed by the state\u2019s liberal voting base, Becerra had support from 55% of likely&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":47042,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/1de73a3\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5370x2819+0+380\/resize\/1200x630!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F26%2F48%2F890658a64064a6e19a19b7ef9806%2F1552223-me-gov-debate-pomona-028.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-47041","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-hub"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47041","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=47041"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47041\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/47042"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=47041"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=47041"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=47041"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}