Former state Attorney General Xavier Becerra is touting a poll published Thursday and a surge of recent social media interest as evidence that his campaign for California governor is viable.

It comes in the wake of Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell’s exit from the race following sexual misconduct allegations.

An Emerson College survey published Thursday showed Becerra tied with former Democratic Rep. Katie Porter with 10%, behind billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer and Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco (both at 14%), and Republican media pundit Steve Hilton (17%).

Among Democrats, Becerra surged even more, edging out Porter to claim second at 19%, just behind Steyer (20%), a 15-point increase from its previous March 11th poll.

Story Date: May 4, 2026