Xavier Becerra’s lead over Steve Hilton narrows to 5.6 points according to new California governor poll

Xavier Becerra’s lead over Steve Hilton has shrunk to just 5.6 points in a new post-debate poll – with nearly one in seven voters still undecided.

The race for California governor has tightened significantly, with Democrat Becerra holding a slight 5.6-point advantage over Republican Steve Hilton, according to a new poll taken immediately after the candidates’ first debate.

The poll, commissioned by Hilton’s campaign and conducted by pollster David Wolfson on Oct. 1-2, surveyed 1,020 California voters and found Becerra with 45.7 percent support to Hilton’s 40.1 percent, while 14.1 percent remained undecided.

The numbers mark a striking change from a previous poll commissioned by Hilton that gave Becerra a 52 to 37 percent lead, according to a poll previously reported by the Post.

That 15-point advantage is now reduced to less than six points.

Becerra’s support fell 6.3 percentage points from the previous survey, while Hilton gained 3.1 points, resulting in a 9.4-point change in the margin.

And with 14.1% of voters still undecided, the race remains in play.

The new Wolfson survey also suggests that Californians are less than thrilled with the direction their state is taking.

Nearly six in 10 voters – 58.8% – said California was heading in the wrong direction, compared to just 28.1% who said the state was heading in the right direction. Another 13.1% were unsure.

The bleak outlook could provide an opening for Hilton, who has made frustration with high costs in California and Democratic leadership at the heart of his campaign.

But Becerra still holds the advantage among voters who have made up their minds.

When those undecided were asked which candidate they would lean toward if forced to choose, 72.5 percent leaned toward Becerra and 27.5 percent leaned toward Hilton.

The survey also revealed that neither candidate is particularly popular.

Becerra’s favorable rating stood at 44.1%, while 45.3% viewed him unfavorably. Hilton fares less well overall, with 35.5% favorable and 50.7% unfavorable.

The poll was carried out after a well-attended debate on October 1 between the two candidates.

About 11.2% said they watched all or most of the debate on CNN, while 9.5% watched part of it.

Nearly 20% saw clips or highlights online or in newspapers, and 19.9% ​​said they followed the news without watching the debate itself.

The latest figures are a significant departure from several recent public polls that showed Becerra holding a much wider lead.

The poll also comes amid accusations from Hilton that Becerra lied about his immigrant background.

“Unlike Becerra (because I’ve been there to listen to people), I know that Becerra’s policies have destroyed the California dream. My plans will restore it,” Hilton wrote on X.

“Unlike Xavier Becerra, I am an immigrant. Unlike Xavier Becerra, my father was an immigrant. My father-in-law too. My whole family,” he added.

Becerra has previously stated that his parents moved to the United States as immigrants.

The Post has reached out to the Becerra camp for further comment.