All articles tagged with #steyer
Emerson College polls show Democrat Xavier Becerra leading the California governor field with about 28% while Tom Steyer and Steve Hilton fight for the crucial second spot (Steyer around 22%, Hilton 21%). A Berkeley poll offered a different second-place order, but both surveys indicate a three-way race for the runoff slot as the top-two primary nears and turnout continues to shift.
Xavier Becerra, the front-running California gubernatorial candidate, faces a wave of anonymous criticism from former Biden administration officials over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and unaccompanied migrant children, amid broader Beltway tensions. Supporters highlight accomplishments from his HHS tenure, like drug-price relief and ACA expansion, while critics allege unpreparedness and limited visibility during crises. The debate blends legitimate concerns with partisan hostility, and voters deserve a transparent, evidence-based appraisal beyond anonymous soundbites as the primary race tightens.
California’s crowded gubernatorial primary has Democrats delaying their ballots for strategic reasons, wary that two Republicans could advance in the jungle primary. Polls show Xavier Becerra leading, with Steve Hilton and Tom Steyer close behind, prompting voters to weigh choices to avoid a Republican‑leaning November runoff.
An Emerson College Polling survey (May 27–28) shows Xavier Becerra leading California's governor race with 28%, Tom Steyer at 22%, and Steve Hilton at 21%; Chad Bianco has 12% and other Democrats are in single digits, with about 5% undecided. Steyer and Hilton are in a dead heat within the margin of error, and among decided voters they’re tied at 23% each when undecideds are excluded. With the primary days away, the top two vote-getters advance to November, and turnout is already high with more than 3 million ballots cast; Porter slipped to 5% since a prior poll, signaling shifting support among Democrats.
A Berkeley IGS poll shows Xavier Becerra leading California’s governor race with 25% to Steve Hilton’s 21% and Tom Steyer’s 19%, suggesting Becerra would be the prohibitive favorite if the top-two primary yielded a general election against Hilton. The results echo a separate PPIC poll, with Steyer narrowing the gap as he spends heavily. The data imply two Democrats are likely to advance to the runoff, not two Republicans, while Porter and Mahan remain far back.
Tom Steyer’s campaign has asked California’s secretary of state to review Eric Swalwell’s residency, arguing Swalwell may live in California only on paper as he runs for governor. The move centers on a dormant five-year residency requirement that state officials have long treated as unconstitutional or unenforceable. Steyer warns the ambiguity could spark a constitutional crisis if Swalwell wins and the Trump administration challenges his legitimacy, potentially affecting federal funds and state operations. Swalwell’s team says it’s common for candidates to list an attorney’s or treasurer’s address for safety, and the secretary of state did not commit to action. Legal experts say any ruling could require a court, highlighting the unsettled nature of California’s residency rules amid a crowded, high-stakes governor’s race.
Public Policy Institute of California’s poll shows the governor’s race broken into two tiers: Porter, Swalwell, and Steyer lead the Democratic field with double‑digit support while other Democrats trail; Becerra has faded as Swalwell and Steyer gained momentum, and Matt Mahan has joined late to seek consolidation. On the Republican side, Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco remain in the top five. Although a Democrat is still viewed as the likely winner in 2026, the race remains fluid with no clear frontrunner and broad calls for field consolidation; about 61% of voters say they’re satisfied with their choices.
With no breakout candidate in California’s open Democratic governor race, Rep. Eric Swalwell and billionaire Tom Steyer have surged into the top tier in recent polls. Swalwell has gained visibility through cable news presence and a strong endorsement from Sen. Adam Schiff, while Steyer has saturated major media markets with ads, leveraging his wealth to stay front and center. The field remains unsettled, helping both veterans’ campaigns to endure, though Porter remains a contender and other rivals attack them to slow momentum.
Tom Steyer claims his ads helped pass Proposition 50, but the Yes on 50 campaign disputes this, citing internal polls and research showing Steyer’s ads were ineffective compared to other campaign ads, which had a much stronger impact on voter support.