Elections
Hilton trails Becerra in California governor race polling ahead of first debate
PN Team • 2 months ago
A recent Berkeley IGS/Los Angeles Times poll shows Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton with support from 37% of California voters, trailing Democrat Xavier Becerra, the former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, who holds 55%. About 7% remain undecided. The two are set to meet in their first debate on September 30 in Los Angeles, televised on CNN, which could shift the current standing.
Hilton, a former strategist for ex-British Prime Minister David Cameron and a Brexit supporter, has never held elected office and only became a U.S. citizen in 2021 after relocating to California in 2012. He has received an endorsement from President Donald Trump, whose immigration policies contrast with Hilton's own background as the son of Hungarian refugees. Despite trailing significantly, Hilton is seen as outperforming typical Republican prospects in heavily Democratic California, where registered Republicans make up about 25% of voters compared to 45% who are Democrats. Polling could shift meaningfully once debate performances are factored in.
Sources:
Sentiment
- Donald Trump Trump's endorsement is noted alongside a contrast highlighting hypocrisy given his immigration policies versus Hilton's refugee background.
- Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is mentioned as Becerra's affiliation and in voter registration context, a neutral factual reference.
- Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is mentioned as trailing significantly in a heavily Democratic state, a mildly unfavorable but factual context.
- California California is the setting of the race, mentioned factually without particular reputational framing.
- Governor of California The California governor race is the subject of the article, a neutral factual framing.
- Los Angeles Los Angeles is mentioned as the debate location, a neutral factual reference.
- United States The United States is referenced factually regarding Hilton's citizenship and the broader political context.