A new poll in the California governor’s race shows Becerra leading

Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton hold the lead in the latest poll ahead of California’s gubernatorial election.

This is according to Public Policy Institute of Californiawhich surveyed 986 likely voters earlier this month. Nearly a quarter of those polled (23%) said they would vote for Becerra, followed by Hilton at 20%, Tom Steyer at 15%, Chad Bianco at 13% and Katie Porter at 12%.

Some Californians are watching a gubernatorial election partly to decide how they will vote. The state’s open primary allows the top two vote-getters to continue through November, regardless of party, and for several months it looked like Republicans Hilton and Bianco had a chance to shut Democrats off the ballot.

Becerra, a former state attorney general and health secretary under former President Joe Biden, began pulling ahead after U.S. Rep. Eric Swwell dropped out of the race amid sexual assault allegations.

• Jonathan UnderlandBecerra campaign spokesman: “Becerra has built real momentum — strong poll numbers backed by working Californians who are energized and ready.”

Steyer’s campaign, in a written statement, disputed the PPIC survey results, saying it missed a recent swing toward the liberal billionaire. The campaign pointed to its own internal tracking and another poll conducted for Hilton.

Beyond the gubernatorial race, the PPIC survey contains clues about how voters feel ahead of the midterm elections that will decide which party will control Congress for the final two years of President Donald Trump’s second term. Three-quarters of likely voters said the country was headed in the wrong direction — the highest percentage in more than two decades, according to PPIC.

While it’s no surprise that a majority of Democrats polled — 92 percent — agreed with that sentiment, 50 percent of Republicans also felt the same way. The percentage of Republicans who say the country is moving in the right direction also fell sharply, from 64% in a PPIC survey in February to 49%.

A solid majority — 64 percent — of likely voters said they would vote for the Democratic candidate in the local U.S. House race if the midterm elections were held today. Only 35% of likely voters said they would vote for the GOP nominee.

The numbers are warning signs for Republicans as they try to hold on to their majority in the US House of Representatives.

What does Gen Z think?: California voters ages 14 to 29 make up nearly one-fifth of the state’s electorate. And just like many of us, Gen Z Californians worry about inflation, health care and housing. CalMatters spoke with some Gen Z voters to learn more about who they’re voting for and why. Read more.

Still undecided about the election? Check it out CalMatters Voter Guide to make a decision.