Shock poll shows another huge swing in California governors race

Xavier Becerra has widened his lead over Steve Hilton to 22 points, according to a new statewide survey.The Democrat leads the Republican 60% to 38% among likely voters if the Nov.3 gubernatorial election were held today, according to the Public Policy Institute of California poll conducted Sept.

4–10.The latest numbers mark a notable change from the summer campaign.Here is the corrected and proofread text:A previous poll conducted by UC Berkeley (the Berkeley IGS / Los Angeles Times poll) showed Becerra with support from 55% of likely voters surveyed — compared with Hilton’s 37% — a previous 18-point margin.Hilton characterized the PPIC poll as “misleading.”“This poll is totally at odds with the latest poll on billionaire tax, which is 11% not 22%,” he told the Post, referring to another poll that was conducted by the group.“The GOP turnout is way off.”“Californians are desperate for change and we have momentum,” he added.

“Becerra is a career politician and electing him is four more years of the one-party rule of the last 16.”The Post has reached out to Beccera for comment.The numbers also represent a substantially wider margin than a separate Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies/Los Angeles Times poll conducted in August, which put Becerra ahead 55% to 37% among likely voters. “Steve Hilton needed all the pieces to fall into place and for Xavier Becerra to make a major mistake to have a chance at victory this November,” Matt Klink a Republican strategist told the Post.

“Neither has happened and, unless something radically changes, we’re looking at a blowout by Secretary Becerra, who is largely hiding from the California voters,” he added.The latest PPIC survey found that the candidates’ bases remain firmly behind them.A whopping 93% of Democrats said they would vote for Becerra, while 92% of Republicans backed Hilton.Independent voters, meanwhile, favored Becerra 57% to 38% — a 19-point advantage among...