Two new polls show Democrat Xavier Becerra with a double-digit lead over Republican Steve Hilton with about a week until the Nov. 3 election.

The numbers

  • Emerson College Polling (Oct. 17–19, 1,000 likely voters, ±3.1 points): Becerra 60%, Hilton 33%, with 7% undecided. With leaners, Becerra leads 64% to 36%. Independents favor Becerra 46% to 36%.
  • McLaughlin & Associates for the California Post (Oct. 17–20, 800 voters): Becerra 55%, Hilton 39.3%, with 4.9% undecided, the New York Post reported.

Voters are unhappy anyway

In the McLaughlin poll, 56.2% said the state is headed in the wrong direction and 44% said they had seriously considered leaving California in the past four years. Becerra and Hilton had nearly identical favorability ratings.

In the Emerson poll, the economy was the top issue for 45% of voters, followed by housing affordability at 17%. Gov. Gavin Newsom's job approval was 46%, with 43% disapproving. President Trump's approval was 33%.

"California independents break for Becerra by 10 points, 46% to 36%, a group Hilton would need more support among to compete in the general election," said Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling.

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