Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

RandySF

(86,826 posts)
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 10:02 AM Monday

CA-GOV: Becerra looks likely to pull off California comeback

Former Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra (D) looks poised to finish as one of the front-runners Tuesday in the race to succeed California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), a remarkable arc for the candidate who polled in just single digits a few months ago.

Democrats credit several factors for Becerra’s momentum: former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s (D-Calif.) exit from the primary in mid-April; Becerra’s experience running statewide; voter skepticism over billionaires like Tom Steyer; and the potential superlative that Democrats could elect their first Latino governor in the Golden State in more than a century.

While polling indicates Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton are likely to proceed to the November general election, some Democrats say Steyer should not be counted out of potentially placing within the top two — particularly as some polling shows a portion of the electorate is still undecided.

“There’s a huge chunk of votes that are sitting out there uncommitted at the moment,” veteran Democratic strategist Darry Sragow said. “My guess is most of them are Democrats, because Republicans, again, just make up their minds pretty early and stick to their guns. And so it may be that Steyer, as well as Becerra, is the beneficiary of a surge.”




https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5901975-xavier-becerra-california-gubernatorial-race-newsom/

4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
CA-GOV: Becerra looks likely to pull off California comeback (Original Post) RandySF Monday OP
California voters are giving us a lesson on so-called "centrism". Nixie Monday #1
California is too big and too important for amateurs. RandySF Monday #2
Exactly. It's also a precarious time to suggest sweeping changes Nixie Monday #3
Well put duckworth969 Monday #4

Nixie

(18,162 posts)
1. California voters are giving us a lesson on so-called "centrism".
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 10:07 AM
Monday

Centrism just means stability, and it looks like liberals in California want experience and stability, which Becerra offers.

Nixie

(18,162 posts)
3. Exactly. It's also a precarious time to suggest sweeping changes
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 10:16 AM
Monday

at an impossibly inflated and mostly unknown cost while a psycho like Trump wants to actively harm our state. Keeping Trump tied up in court is the reality right now, and Becerra helps with that, too.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»CA-GOV: Becerra looks lik...