Xavier Becerra leads in California gubernatorial polls

Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton are the leading candidates in the 2026 California gubernatorial election. Recent polling aggregates indicate a significant lead for Becerra, a former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Data from On Point Politics shows Becerra with approximately 53.9% of the vote compared to 36.8% for Hilton.

Individual polls from various institutions, including UC Berkeley and the Manhattan Institute, consistently place Becerra ahead, with some surveys showing his support as high as 58%.

Becerra’s campaign focuses heavily on healthcare, earning him the moniker “Health Care Governor.” His platform includes protecting public coverage from federal cuts, maintaining care for undocumented immigrants, and working toward a universal single-payer system. However, critics have raised concerns regarding the fiscal feasibility of these promises, noting California’s current $18.5 billion operating deficit and the rising costs of the Medi-Cal program.