How Xavier Becerra Made a Remarkable Comeback to Lead the Governor’s Race
Polls Indicate Xavier Becerra is Gaining Momentum Ahead of Primary Election
As the primary election approaches in less than two months, Xavier Becerra, former California attorney general and former Health and Human Services secretary under the Biden administration, is emerging as a notable contender. After facing calls to exit the race, Becerra has transformed his status into one of the Democratic frontrunners.
Recent polling data highlights this shift. Following Rep. Eric Swalwell’s withdrawal due to sexual misconduct allegations, a California Democratic Party poll conducted on April 17 revealed Becerra’s support rising to 13%, a marked increase from 4% just two weeks prior.
An Emerson College poll dated April 16 also reflected Becerra’s upward trajectory, showing him at 10%, up from 3% in March. Tom Steyer leads this group at 14%, with Becerra and Katie Porter now tied for second among Democratic candidates.
“This is a consolidation of votes. They shifted entirely over to Becerra,” said political strategist Mike Madrid. He noted a growing coalition within the working-class base of the Democratic Party responding to what they perceive as a pushback against traditional establishment figures.
In his recent travels from Sacramento to Los Angeles, Madrid noted a surprisingly diverse turnout at a Becerra rally. “They reached out after seeing stuff on social media, and then they contacted the campaign,” he explained. “There was also a discernible group expressing interest without having made a final decision, indicating their preference for what they were hearing.”
Despite Becerra’s rise, California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks remains concerned about the number of Democratic candidates in the race. Earlier this week, he urged candidates lacking a clear path forward to consider dropping out to avoid splitting the vote in the November runoff. He cautioned that Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco continue to lead in the polls.
“My call for candidates to honestly assess the viability of their candidacy still stands, especially if you are stalled in the single digits,” Hicks stated.
Addressing the doubts about Becerra’s campaign, Madrid asserted that the candidate’s recent momentum illustrates the importance of having a robust competitive field. “In just five days, Becerra is now the front-runner. That’s why we have campaigns,” he noted. “The Democratic Party should focus on bringing voters into the process rather than pushing candidates out.”
The race took another turn when former California Controller Betty Yee suspended her campaign and endorsed Steyer. It remains uncertain whether her endorsement will significantly influence voter preferences.
Should Becerra succeed in his bid for governor, he would become the first Latino to hold the office in modern California history, marking a significant milestone in the state’s political landscape.
