Xavier Becerra California Governor Runoff Intensifies As New Poll Shows Him Neck-And-Neck With GOP Rival
A new survey released Tuesday reveals that former California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is locked in a statistical tie with his Republican opponent in the gubernatorial runoff, defying earlier predictions of a Democratic landslide. The poll, conducted by the Institute for Governmental Studies, shows Becerra with a razor-thin 2-point lead, well within the margin of error. This surge has been attributed to a massive turnout among Latino voters in the Central Valley, who were energized by a viral social media campaign accusing his GOP rival of supporting cuts to Medicaid. Both candidates have ramped up ad spending ahead of the November 5 election, with Becerra focusing on healthcare access and his opponent hammering crime statistics. A final debate is scheduled for next week as both camps brace for a photo finish.