← 2026 governors map · Safe D
California governor polls
Becerra (D) vs. Hilton (R)
Xavier Becerra leads the 2026 California governor race by 15.5 points in PolitiKool's polling average, as of Oct. 11, 2026.
- Becerra 51.5%, Hilton 36.0%.
- 7 polls from 7 pollsters, weighted by recency, sample size, pollster record and partisan sponsorship.
- The margin has moved 5.0 points toward Steve Hilton over the past month.
- Rated Safe D, combining the average with the Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball and Inside Elections.
- The seat is held by Gavin Newsom (D).
California governor polling average
Xavier Becerra51.5%
Steve Hilton36.0%
MarginBecerra +15.5
Average as of Oct. 11, 2026 · — Xavier Becerra · — Steve Hilton
Latest California governor polls
| Dates | Pollster | Sample | Becerra | Hilton | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 23 – Oct. 2 | Independent Voter Project | 2,906 LV | 48% | 38% | Becerra +10 |
| Oct. 1–2 | David Wolfson Poll (partisan) | 1,020 LV | 46% | 40% | Becerra +6 |
| Sept. 15–20 | SurveyUSA / KGTV (San Diego), The San Diego Union Tribune | 742 LV | 55% | 33% | Becerra +22 |
| Sept. 15–20 | UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies / Los Angeles Times | 4,512 LV | 58% | 33% | Becerra +25 |
| Sept. 11–16 | University of California Berkeley Jack Citrin Center for Public Opinion Research/Verasight/TrueDot / Politico | 1,983 LV | 54% | 36% | Becerra +18 |
| Sept. 8–14 | UC Berkeley Citrin Center/TrueDot/Politico | 2,418 RV | 48% | 34% | Becerra +14 |
| Sept. 4–10 | PPIC | 1,103 LV | 60% | 38% | Becerra +22 |
| Aug. 3–9 | UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies / Los Angeles Times | 2,310 LV | 55% | 37% | Becerra +18 |
| June 29 – July 6 | PPIC | 1,003 LV | 61% | 36% | Becerra +25 |
| June 13–17 | Kreate Strategies | 900 LV | 58% | 33% | Becerra +25 |
| May 23–26 | CEPP | 735 LV | 58% | 35% | Becerra +23 |
| May 19–24 | Berkeley IGS | 8,578 RV | 52% | 31% | Becerra +21 |