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LOS ANGELES – California voters are poised to cast ballots Tuesday and choose between gubernatorial candidates Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton to replace termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom.
If elected, Democratic candidate Becerra would become California’s first Latino elected governor. Hilton would be the first Republican elected governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger won reelection in 2006.
Becerra leads Hilton by 27 points in latest poll
A poll by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times, found 61% of likely voters supported Becerra compared to 34% of likely voters backing Hilton, a former Fox News commentator.
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The polling figures represent an increase for Becerra, a former US secretary of Health and Human Services, congressman and state attorney general, who held a 25-percentage-point lead in a September poll conducted by the institute.
Opposition to Trump tops voters’ concerns
According to the institute’s latest poll, about 40% of likely voters named challenging the Trump administration as their primary concern, while 34% cited reducing the cost of living as their second highest priority.
The Times reported that the top two issues had switched places from the mid-September survey, which found that 44% of likely voters were concerned about the cost of living, compared to 37% who said a top priority was pushing back against Trump.
Other issues that likely voters said were priorities included public safety, creating jobs, improving public education and health care.
The latest poll was conducted online in English and Spanish from Oct. 19 through Sunday. The Times noted responses came from a weighted sample of 1,477 state residents who already voted or were considered likely to vote Nov. 3, from a larger group of 2,787 registered voters. The poll has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.
Competing plans on housing, affordability
Both candidates have proposed plans to build more housing, but differ in their approaches.
Hilton has made a commitment to cap government fees to build a house at $50,000. He argued against building apartment complexes in areas designated as single-family zoning, with the aim of reducing “battles between NIMBY and YIMBYs,” or opponents and supporters of developing in areas designated as single-family zones.
Hilton has proposed eliminating state income taxes on the first $150,000 Californians earn. He has said he would pay for the proposal by cutting funding for high-speed rail and homelessness nonprofits and reducing state government departments’ budgets by 5%.
The Republican candidate has also proposed building 10 new cities.
Becerra said he would work to double the rate of home building. He emphasized that it will also take enforcement of state laws to ensure everyday Californians can purchase homes, rather than allowing corporate and Wall Street investors to buy up all the housing stock.
Becerra has proposed providing up to two hours of free electricity to low-income households using excess solar power. He has also said he would declare a state of emergency to freeze utility and insurance rates.
Hilton has previously criticized Becerra for being part of the Democratic establishment that has led to the state’s high cost of living.
Clash over immigration, climate
Becerra has attacked Hilton for supporting President Donald Trump’s views on immigration, data centers and other issues.
Becerra has called for stricter regulations on data centers, while Hilton has said he would let tech companies lead the way on regulations.
On immigration, Hilton criticized Democrats for failing to enforce federal immigration law in the state. Becerra has said Hilton would welcome and support federal immigration enforcement operations.
The two candidates diverged in their opinions regarding climate change, with Hilton advocating for more drilling for oil in California, better forest management, and implementing practical and sensible goals.
Becerra has spoken about protecting California by advocating for green energy such as solar power, wind and electricity. Hilton has criticized Becerra for supporting a proposed tax on mileage as a means to fund the maintenance of roads and highways.
Hilton attacked Becerra and the Democratic establishment for the homelessness crisis and for failing to make significant reductions in homelessness. Becerra has blamed the Trump administration for attempting to deny California millions of dollars in federal funding to address homelessness. (CNS)
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