Becerra Maintains Lead in California Governor’s Race as Primary Nears

Xavier Becerra is holding a clear advantage in the California governor’s race just days before the June 2 primary, according to a new poll. The former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary for President Biden leads the pack with 25 percent support among likely voters, found the poll by UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies and the Los Angeles Times. Former Fox News host and Republican candidate Steve Hilton follows closely with 21 percent, while billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer sits at 19 percent. Under California’s top-two primary system, the two candidates who secure the most votes will advance to the general election in November, regardless of their party affiliation.Mr. Becerra’s campaign capitalized on the exit of former Representative Eric Swalwell earlier this year, leaping to the front of the pack. Reacting to the recent polling numbers, Mr. Becerra’s campaign said that “the momentum is clearly on our side heading into Election Day.”Despite currently trailing in third, Mr. Steyer has poured more than $215 million of his personal wealth into the race. His campaign maintains it is still a “tight race.” However, political analysts are questioning his current strategy of attacking the Democratic frontrunner.Further down the ballot, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican, sits at 11 percent, while Democrats Katie Porter and Matt Mahan have slipped to 7 percent and 4 percent, respectively. Analysts note that a dual-Republican ticket advancing is highly unlikely in the heavily Democratic state.With early voting underway, nearly 3 million ballots have already been cast. Regional preferences remain split, but Mr. Becerra holds the strongest statewide coalition as election day approaches.During Mr. Becerra’s time as HHS secretary, the Biden administration launched a federal effort to help women locate abortion providers following the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. The program directed users to a legal abortion search tool through a newly published government website.“Reproductive health care, including access to birth control and safe and legal abortion care, is an essential part of your health and well-being,” the website said. “While Roe v. Wade was overturned, abortion remains legal in many states, and other reproductive health care services remain protected by law.”Mr. Becerra called the Supreme Court’s decision “unconscionable,” describing abortion as “a basic and essential part of health care” and declaring that his department would “double down and use every lever we have to protect access to abortion care.”Meanwhile in Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass is facing an unexpected and formidable challenge from reality television star Spencer Pratt. According to a new poll, Mr. Pratt has surged into a statistical tie with the incumbent mayor just days before Tuesday’s non-partisan primary, in which the top two finishers will meet in a November run-off..Mr. Pratt currently commands 30.1 percent of voter support, narrowly edging out Ms. Bass, who sits at 29.5 percent. Coming in third is socialist Councilwoman Nithya Raman with 23.4 percent. Given the margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percentage points, the leading candidates are locked in a razor-thin race.

Becerra Maintains Lead in California Governor’s Race as Primary Nears

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