Becerra poll surge: Xavier Becerra climbs in California governor race and faces sharp attacks from progressives and rivals
Xavier Becerra has surged in recent polls for California’s 2026 governor’s race after Eric Swalwell’s exit, becoming a leading Democratic contender and drawing intense criticism from progressives and rivals as the June 2 top-two primary approaches.
Key takeaways
- Rapid polling jump: Tracking polls show Becerra rising from mid-single digits into the top tier — including a shift from ~4% to 13% in one Democratic tracker and ~23% in a broader Independent Voter Project survey (CalMatters; Independent Voter Project (YouTube)).
- Progressive backlash: Left-leaning activists and rivals are highlighting his long record, HHS handling of unaccompanied children, and corporate ties to undercut momentum (Politico; CalMatters debate coverage).
- June 2 stakes: California’s top-two primary and high undecided rates keep the race fluid as ballots begin mailing (International Business Times; Politico).
Main story
Key information
Xavier Becerra’s standing in the California 2026 gubernatorial race rose sharply after Rep. Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign and resigned from Congress amid sexual assault allegations, putting Becerra near the top of recent Democratic polls, according to CalMatters and Politico.
Polling detail: One Democratic tracker showed Becerra jumping from roughly 4% to 13% among Democrats; a broader Independent Voter Project survey of 3,400 voters put him at about 23% in a larger field with 26% undecided (CalMatters analysis; IBTimes).
The surge has triggered coordinated criticism from the left and attacks from fellow Democrats, who question his record as a longtime public official, his handling of federal responsibilities, and his ties to corporate donors (Politico; CalMatters).
Becerra’s rise and the polls behind it
Becerra’s campaign began more than a year ago but he initially trailed in the mid-single digits while the field waited on possible runs from figures such as former Vice President Kamala Harris and Sen. Alex Padilla. After Swalwell left the race, tracking polls showed Becerra vaulted into the top tier of Democrats (Politico; Becerra campaign).
Campaign strategists say the numbers have reshaped outreach as ballots near mailing. Becerra’s coalition points to his decades in public service — 24 years in Congress, four years as California attorney general, and his tenure as President Biden’s HHS secretary — and emphasizes litigation victories and administrative actions as evidence of executive experience (xavierbecerra2026.com).
The campaign highlights suing the Trump administration more than 120 times, defending the Affordable Care Act, expanding health coverage and pledges to lower drug costs — themes designed to showcase his record-led pitch to voters.
Debate spotlight and campaign clashes
Becerra’s surge made him a focal point at a scrappy debate at Pomona College, broadcast by CBS and sponsored by the Asian Pacific American Public Affairs group. The event featured eight candidates and covered homelessness, housing affordability, immigration, water, and the role of money in politics (IBTimes; CalMatters debate coverage; ABC30 local coverage).
Critics called the debate chaotic and poorly structured, with short answers that left voters wanting more substance (CalMatters; LA Times).
Onstage tensions: exchanges highlighted rival efforts to define Becerra — he targeted Republican Steve Hilton as someone who allies with Donald Trump, while Democrats such as Tom Steyer have aired ads tying Becerra to controversial aspects of his federal record.
Progressive backlash: record and rhetoric under scrutiny
Progressive leaders have portrayed Becerra as a pragmatic, middle-of-the-road Democrat who may be unwilling to take on corporate power. Amar Shergill, former chair of the California Democratic Party’s progressive caucus, called him a “go-along Democrat” and has worked to undermine his momentum (Politico).
Specific complaints include footage and messages questioning how Becerra managed the influx of unaccompanied migrant children while leading HHS, activists pointing to campaign contributions from firms like Chevron, and criticism for opposing a union-backed billionaire tax — all used to argue he may not back bold progressive economic measures (Politico).
On health care: progressives press whether Becerra supports single-payer; the campaign emphasizes expanding coverage and lowering drug costs but has not embraced single-payer as a stated priority (campaign site).
Rivals, ads and the fight to define the front-runner
Tom Steyer has run ads attacking Becerra’s Biden HHS record to frame him as vulnerable to Republican critique and out of step with progressive priorities. Katie Porter and other Democrats on the left seek to give voters a sharper contrast in both style and policy (CalMatters; Politico).
With ballots mailing and the June 2 primary approaching, campaign operatives say the coming weeks are crucial: defining a rival early can slow momentum and force voters to choose between steady experience and more combative progressive change.
Race context and the path forward
California’s top-two primary advances the two highest vote-getters regardless of party, favoring name recognition and broad appeal in a crowded field. High undecided numbers keep the contest fluid as mailing begins (IBTimes; Politico).
The field includes Democrats Xavier Becerra, Tom Steyer, Katie Porter and Matt Mahan, and Republicans such as Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco (IBTimes; IVP poll (YouTube)).
Implications for Los Angeles, California
Economic ties: Critics warn Becerra’s relationships with business groups and some corporate donors could produce a governorship more inclined to negotiate with industry on regulations and incentives rather than embrace aggressive statewide corporate taxes. For Los Angeles — home to entertainment, tech, energy and aerospace industries — that could shape regulatory and tax choices (Politico; CalMatters).
Housing and homelessness: Los Angeles voters prioritize affordability and homelessness. Becerra’s message of experienced governance may appeal to city leaders seeking steady state support, while progressives push for bolder redistributive approaches that would affect housing funding and local services (IBTimes).
Jobs and labor: Unions will scrutinize Becerra’s record, especially his past opposition to a union-backed billionaire tax, when deciding endorsements — a choice that matters for local bargaining, transit contracts and public-sector employment (Politico).
Immigration and social services: L.A. is a major destination for immigrant families; questions about Becerra’s handling of unaccompanied migrant children while at HHS could influence trust among immigrant communities and demands for clearer commitments on funding and care (Politico).
Political dynamics and turnout: Progressive organizers in the region are mobilizing to blunt Becerra’s gains or push the eventual nominee toward more progressive policies — activity that could influence turnout patterns in the June 2 primary and November general election (CalMatters; IBTimes).
Practical implications for residents
The debate over Becerra and his rivals centers on everyday issues for Angelenos — housing costs, health care access, public safety, and jobs. How candidates answer those concerns before ballots mail will affect policy priorities and funding decisions that shape city services (campaign site; Politico).
Ballots will soon arrive across California. The fight between an experienced insider and brash progressives is playing out in a sprint to the June 2 primary (IBTimes; CalMatters).
Reporting and sources
This article draws on reporting and analysis from multiple outlets covering the California governor’s race, debates and polling, including:
- International Business Times coverage
- CalMatters commentary and debate coverage
- CalMatters analysis on Swalwell and Becerra
- Politico reporting on progressive backlash
- Local debate coverage (ABC30)
- LA Times debate commentary
- Campaign materials (xavierbecerra2026.com)
- Independent Voter Project poll (YouTube)
- IVP / related polling content (YouTube)
Note: This report preserves original sourcing and URLs cited above to allow readers to review the underlying coverage and polling directly.
