NEW POLL: Steyer Tied With Becerra, in Dead Heat for Top-Two Spot

Poll confirms top-two Republican lockout is nearly impossible 

CALIFORNIA — Today, the Tom Steyer for Governor campaign released new polling conducted by Global Strategy Group showing strong momentum for Tom Steyer in the final stretch of the race. While Becerra’s momentum has stalled, Steyer continues his May surge, and is now poised to land a spot in the November run-off. 

The survey finds Republican Steve Hilton leading with 22 percent, while Steyer and Xavier Becerra are tied at 19 percent each. Republican Chad Bianco trails in a distant 4th place, debunking the possibility of two Republicans finishing in the top two and showing a three-way race between Hilton, Steyer and Becerra that is still very much up for grabs in the final days of the campaign. 

Despite more than $30 million spent on negative ads against him, Steyer has gained four points since late April, while Becerra has slipped from 21% to 19%. Bianco has fallen out of contention with just 12 percent support.

“This poll confirms what we’re hearing on the ground across California: voters are looking for an outsider who will take on the political establishment to lower costs and deliver real change,” said Heather Hargreaves, Campaign Manager for Tom Steyer for Governor. “Xavier Becerra’s momentum has stalled as voters are taking a closer look at his candidacy — welcoming the support of Chevron and other corporate interests, caught up in a corruption scandal involving his top advisers and his own campaign funds, losing his cool with reporters, and failing to answer for decades of failed service in elected office. There are now three candidates competing for two spots, and Tom Steyer has the momentum heading into the final days of the campaign.”

The poll – which mirrors other recent public and private surveys – underscores Steyer’s growing strength among voters frustrated with Sacramento dysfunction and looking for a candidate focused on affordability, housing, jobs, and corruption reform.

KEY FINDINGS:

Two Republican Scenario Nearly Impossible: As Chad Bianco fades, the race has become a three-way fight for two spots between Steyer, Hilton and Becerra.

Tom Steyer’s Momentum: Over the last three weeks, Steyer is the sole Democratic candidate gaining ground, while numbers for Becerra, Katie Porter and Matt Mahan are all lower. This is despite the $30 million in misleading negative advertising unleashed against Steyer. 

Becerra’s Negatives on the Rise: Since the April survey, Becerra’s favorability has moved from net positive to net negative, falling from 40% favorable/35% unfavorable to 37% favorable/43% unfavorable among primary voters statewide.

The GSG poll can be found here.

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