A gubernatorial candidate viewed by Gavin Newsom’s team as a potential dark horse has recently gained ground in the polls.
Xavier Becerra, the former Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden, has experienced a notable boost in his approval ratings following the abrupt withdrawal of Eric Swalwell from the race.
Swalwell, who had been considered a frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, stepped down amid serious allegations of sexual misconduct and an investigation by the Justice Department, which he denies.
In the wake of Swalwell’s exit, Becerra appears to have emerged as one of the foremost beneficiaries of this shift.
A recent poll surveying 800 likely primary voters, conducted between April 14 and April 18, shows Becerra’s approval rating climbing to 15 percent, a substantial increase of 11 points from just 4 percent earlier this month.
This sudden rise positions him competitively among the candidates vying for second place, hinting at a rapidly evolving political landscape.
Currently, polls indicate that Trump’s Republican supporter, Steve Hilton, still leads with 20%, while Becerra finds himself tied with billionaire Tom Steyer at 15%. Chad Bianco trails closely behind with 14%, and Katie Porter has 13%, all of them within range of a critical advance in the race.
The momentum has caused supporters of Gavin Newsom to increasingly see Becerra as a viable dark horse candidate to succeed the term-limited governor.
Although Newsom has not officially backed Becerra, reports indicate that his political circle is starting to pivot towards Becerra following Swalwell’s resignation.
Despite keeping a neutral public stance, indications suggest that political allies and strategists connected to Newsom are beginning to engage with Becerra’s campaign, fueling speculation that institutional support might enhance his prospects in the near future.
California’s primary system allows the top two candidates to advance, regardless of party affiliation, meaning any slight shift in voter opinion could impact who appears on the ballot in November.
Becerra seems to enjoy an initial advantage, particularly among Democratic voters, with 21% expressing support for him compared to Steyer and Porter, who each sit at 19%.
Favorability ratings further bolster Becerra’s image: his net favorability stands at +33, significantly overshadowing Porter’s +8 and Steyer’s +5, indicating a strong perception among the voters familiar with him.
However, the race remains wide open.
Hilton continues to maintain a slender lead, while Becerra, Steyer, Bianco, and Porter are all locked in a tight contest for second place, within the margin of error.
With 10% of voters still undecided and several months remaining until the primary, the outcome is still very much in the air.
If current trends persist, California could see the rise of a late entrant and a competitive showdown between Becerra and Hilton on the November ballot.
