Xavier Becerra Leads Governor’s Race

Democrat Xavier Becerra holds a strong lead in the California governor’s race according to a new poll by the Public Policy Institute of California. The survey reveals Becerra has the support of 61% of likely voters, outpacing Republican candidate Steve Hilton who received 36%. Becerra, with a long history in Democratic politics, is favored by most independent voters as well, garnering 60% against Hilton’s 34%.

The results reflect broad Democratic advantage in California, a state where Democrats significantly outnumber Republicans. Only 2% of likely voters remain undecided ahead of the November election. Hilton, who has a background in advising a former British prime minister, has characterized the race as “wide open,” aiming to present himself as a business-oriented problem solver.

Becerra spokesman Jonathan Underland emphasized Becerra’s promising support base, stating plans for continued campaigning through the election.

Support for Proposition 45

The poll also indicates strong voter backing for Proposition 45, a measure to reform the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Nearly 75% of likely voters, spanning Democrats, Republicans, and independents, support the initiative aimed at accelerating housing and infrastructure projects. Proposition 45 intends to expedite construction by decreasing time frames for environmental reviews and public comments.

Mark Baldassare, PPIC survey director, highlighted the balance Californians seek between environmental priorities and infrastructure needs.

Opposition to Data Centers

A significant portion of Californians oppose the establishment of new data centers for AI technology. The survey reveals 44% of adults strongly oppose and 29% somewhat oppose such projects. This opposition crosses political, regional, and demographic lines, with strong resistance noted particularly in the Inland Empire.

Baldassare noted the nationwide concern regarding data centers, echoing the sentiments expressed by Californians.

Environmental Priorities and Cost Concerns

Californians express substantial, albeit conditional, support for environmental policies. Three-quarters approve of measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and 65% back state-led environmental initiatives.

Despite these commitments, only 38% are willing to incur higher costs for renewable energy, amid rising energy prices. Newsom’s policy to ban new gas-powered vehicle sales by 2035 faces opposition from two-thirds of Californians, displaying a drop in approval since 2021.

The majority of likely voters approve of state leaders’ actions on environmental matters, whereas President Trump’s environmental approval rating lags significantly.

Overall, the poll surveyed 1,578 adults, including 1,003 likely voters, and was conducted from June 29 to July 6. It offers insights into Californians’ priorities and political leanings with a margin of error of 3.8 percentage points.