Steve Hilton closes gap in California gubernatorial poll

A statewide poll conducted by The California Post among 800 likely voters indicates that Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton is performing better than previous averages suggested. Hilton currently trails Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra by 16 percentage points, with Becerra at 55.0% and Hilton at 39.3%. This is a notable improvement from the RealClearPolitics average of 23.2%.

Hilton maintains a personal favorability rating that is nearly even, with 39.0% favorable and 42.5% unfavorable, performing better than the Republican Party itself, which holds a 37.1% favorable rating. The poll also notes a decline in approval for incumbent Governor Gavin Newsom and a low net positive approval rating of 1.1% for Democrats among California voters.