Xavier Becerra, 2026 California Governor Democratic candidate
Xavier Becerra
DEMOCRATIC
Secretary of Health and Human Services
2021 — 2025

2026 California Governor Polls

Steve Hilton, 2026 California Governor Republican candidate
Steve Hilton
REPUBLICAN
Director of Strategy to the Prime Minister (UK)
2010 — 2012

2026 California Governor Polling Average:

Aggregate of all polls released for California's Governor election between Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton. This page will update the moment new polls are released, including the polling average, projected margin, and survey details.

Year
2026
Race
Governor
State
California
Democratic candidate
Xavier Becerra
Republican candidate
Steve Hilton
Incumbent / open seat
Open Seat
Polling average
57.7% D / 35.4% R
Polling average margin
D +22.3
Last updated
12:00 AM on August 9, 2026
Polls included
4
Latest poll
University of California, Berkeley — August 9, 2026

California Governor Polling Trend

2026 California governor Polling Average

Xavier Becerra leads Steve Hilton by 22.3% in the Pollsmax polling average for the 2026 California governor election, 57.7% to 35.4%. The average currently aggregates results from 4 polls. According to the latest California governor poll, conducted by University of California, Berkeley on August 9, Becerra leads Hilton 55% to 37%.

Democrat

%

Weighted polling average

Republican

%

Weighted polling average

Net margin

Polling average difference

Polls Included

Number of polls conducted

Latest California Governor Polls

Pollster
Date
Sample
Xavier Becerra
Steve Hilton
Margin
Polling Average
57.7%
35.4%
D +22.3
University of California, Berkeley
August 9, 2026
2,310 LV
55%
37%
D +18.0
Public Policy Institute of California
July 6, 2026
1,003 LV
61%
35%
D +26.0
Kreate Strategies (R)
June 17, 2026
900 LV
58%
33%
D +25.0
Center for Excellence in Polling
May 26, 2026
735 LV
58%
35%
D +23.0

About the Pollsmax Polling Average

Pollsmax creates a time-weighted and partisanship-adjusted polling average from an aggregate of all polls conducted for the general election. See the polling methodology to learn more about how polls are standardized and weighted.