Xavier Becerra Leads California Governor Race as Poll Shows Strong Support for Proposition 45

A new Public Policy Institute of California poll shows Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra holding a 61% to 36% lead over Republican Steve Hilton in the race to replace term‑limited Governor Gavin Newsom, a 25‑point advantage that extends to independent voters (60% for Becerra vs 34% for Hilton). The same survey found that nearly three‑quarters of likely voters back Proposition 45, a ballot measure to modernize the California Environmental Quality Act and speed up housing, infrastructure and clean‑energy projects. Voters also expressed strong opposition to new artificial‑intelligence data centers, with 44% strongly opposing and 29% somewhat opposing such projects. Both gubernatorial candidates addressed Latino leaders at a national conference in Los Angeles, outlining their priorities on cost of living, immigration and environmental policy.