Two gubernatorial candidates hold an equal share of likely voters for California’s gubernatorial race in a new June primary poll released Monday, May 4.
Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra each capture 18% of voters, according to an EVITARUS tracking poll commissioned by the California Democratic Party.
Republican candidate Chad Bianco follows with 14%, then Democratic candidate Tom Steyer with 12%. Democrats Katie Porter and Matt Mahan are neck and neck with 8% and 7%, respectively, while Antonio Villaraigosa and Tony Thurmond each hold 2% or less. Fourteen percent of voters remain undecided.
The EVITARUS poll is the fourth in a series of surveys sponsored by California Democrats to assess the viability of the wide field of gubernatorial candidates, as worries about the party being locked out of November’s general election mounted.
In the previous three polls, Republicans Hilton and Bianco were leading the pack. Becerra, however, surged among likely voters following Eric Swalwell’s departure from the race amid sexual assault allegations. Becerra has gained 15 percentage points since the first poll released March 24.
“Today’s California VOTER Index results indicate progress towards ensuring a strong Democrat is elected the next Governor of California,” the California Democratic Party wrote in a post on X.
The EVITARUS poll was conducted between April 30 and May 2 with a sample of 1,200 likely California voters and a margin of error of ±2.83 percentage points.
What else did poll find?
When likely voters were asked if things in what direction things in the Golden State were going, 55% said on the wrong track, while 28% said the right direction.
Nearly 90% of likely voters said they would definitely vote in the June primary.
Who’s running for California governor?
In California, there is a top-two primary system in which all candidates are listed on the same ballot. The top two vote-getters move on to the general election, regardless of their party affiliation, meaning there is the potential for two candidates from the same party to face off in the general election.
The top gubernatorial candidates include:
Other notable Democratic candidates include Matt Mahan, Antonio Villaraigosa, and Tony Thurmond. An additional 51 candidates are also running for governor. A list of candidates and their titles can be found here.
Key dates for June primary
Some key dates for the June primary include:
When is the governor’s race?
Voters will choose the Golden State’s next governor during California’s general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: California governor poll shows Hilton and Becerra tied, leading pack
Reporting by Daniella Segura, USA TODAY NETWORK / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
