Xavier Becerra Leads California Governor Markets at 70% as June 2 Primary Nears

6 articles · Updated · Federal News Network · May 29

$37 million in prediction-market volume has put Xavier Becerra far ahead in California's governor race, with traders pricing him at 70% ahead of the June 2 primary.
Latest polling broadly supports that lead: Becerra stands at 23%, Republican Steve Hilton at 20%, and Tom Steyer at 15%, leaving the top three clustered for the two November spots.
Becerra's rise followed Eric Swalwell's collapse, which redirected Democratic support to the former attorney general and ex-HHS secretary as a lower-baggage, better-known alternative.
Steyer, despite spending nearly $200 million, remains second tier in markets at about 20%, while Hilton holds just over 9% there even as he has emerged as the GOP's clear standard-bearer.
The race uses California's top-two primary system, so the immediate question is whether Democrats secure both November slots or whether Hilton advances into a one-on-one general election.

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