Eric Swalwell exit gives Xavier Becerra boost in California governor race: poll

Published April 16, 2026 1:43pm ET | Updated April 16, 2026 1:43pm ET



Former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s stunning political collapse and hasty exit from California’s crowded governor’s race has opened up an opportunity for Obama-era Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra ahead of the June 2 primary, according to a new poll published Thursday. 

With Swalwell out, Democrats are now splitting their vote between billionaire Tom Steyer, former Rep. Katie Porter, and Becerra, who gained 15 points among Democratic voters without Swalwell as an option on the ballot, according to Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling. 

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