Easygoing, Safe-bet Governor May Be What California Voters Want

SACRAMENTO — Regardless of nan last ballot count, Xavier Becerra’s pre-primary sprint to nan beforehand successful nan title for governor was singular and historic.

Here’s a low-key 68-year-old candidate who excited nary one. And that apparently was a awesome strength. He was easygoing, non-threatening and a safe bet.

He besides had an awesome resume — erstwhile U.S. wellness secretary, California lawyer general, longtime congressman and authorities assemblyman. This seemed to pull voters.

People perpetually badmouth politicians. That’s successful nan American DNA. And successful California, there’s ever large anti-Sacramento jabber. But voters thin to for illustration politicians pinch Sacramento acquisition erstwhile electing governors — unless a personage entertainer is available.

Politics is cyclical, however. In nan past six decades, Californians person gone from electing fascinating Govs. Ronald Reagan and Jerry Brown to selecting uninspiring George Deukmejian, Pete Wilson and Gray Davis — past returning to headliners for illustration Arnold Schwarzenegger, Brown again and Gavin Newsom.

Now we’re fresh for boring Becerra?

The past pre-primary poll by UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies recovered Democrat Becerra starring nan pack. But he was intimately trailed by Republican erstwhile Fox News commentator Steve Hilton and Democrat billionaire Tom Steyer, a hedge money laminitis turned ambiance activist.

The ample section of candidates coiled up pinch those 3 starring — Becerra drafting 25% support, Hilton astatine 21% and Steyer pinch 19%.

A later Emerson College canvass besides recovered Becerra successful beforehand but Steyer and Hilton successful a statistical dormant heat: Becerra 28%, Steyer 22%, Hilton 21%.

The apical 2 ballot getters will suffice for nan November wide election.

In opposition to earlier basking speculation astir 2 Republicans — Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco — finishing successful nan apical 2 and locking retired immoderate Democrat from nan November ballot, nan last IGS and Emerson polls showed that an other script was possible. Two Democrats could conceivably beforehand to nan November voting.

As campaigning neared an end, Becerra apparently tried to thief Hilton pull much MAGA support to forestall Steyer from edging retired nan Republican. Becerra would beryllium a shoo-in complete immoderate GOP force successful November, but could look a reliable conflict facing Steyer pinch his bottomless checkbook.

The games-playing progressive Becerra moving a statewide integer advertisement subtly reminding Republican voters that Hilton was President Trump’s “favorite” campaigner for governor. The spot asserted that Becerra is “Trump’s worst nightmare.”

Steyer would beryllium Becerra’s worst nightmare successful a wide predetermination brawl.

Another awesome poll completed a fewer days earlier by nan Public Policy Institute of California recovered nan aforesaid basal rankings arsenic nan IGS survey, but pinch Steyer a spot further back.

Becerra was starring pinch 23%, followed by Hilton astatine 20% and Steyer astatine 15%.

Every independent canvass recovered Becerra surging from irrelevancy successful March to leader of nan battalion by precocious May.

It’s “one of nan astir different gubernatorial predetermination campaigns successful modern California history,” IGS canvass head Mark DiCamillo says.

Particularly different was nan April frontrunner, then-Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin), abruptly withdrawing aft aggregate accusations of intersexual misconduct and assault, which he denies.

Most of Swalwell’s elector support soon went to Becerra, which helped him pull run donors and endorsements by liking groups.

Becerra, who had been moseying on nan title track, abruptly sewage a 2nd wind. And voters sensed a activity of caller air.

“Voters are exhausted by Trump. He makes it difficult to slumber astatine night. ‘Cool and calm’ win,” says Chapman University governmental subject professor Fred Smoller. “People want a campaigner for illustration a no-drama Becerra.

“The truth he has a charisma shortage whitethorn successful truth beryllium his governmental asset.”

But Becerra besides has different assets, notes UC San Diego governmental subject professor Thad Kousser — ”legislative and executive experience…. He was safe and predictable.

“And he’s 2nd only to Gavin Newsom successful opposing Donald Trump.”

Yes, a calm temperament appeals to voters fatigued by governmental occurrence and brimstone. But California Democrats besides want personification who will conflict backmost against Trump’s policies.

Becerra many times points retired that arsenic authorities lawyer general, he sued nan first Trump management much than 120 times and won nan immense mostly of cases.

“Becerra has caught nan attraction of Democratic voters who overwhelmingly disapprove of Trump,” says PPIC Poll Director Mark Baldassare.

How overwhelmingly? Ninety-five percent disapproval by Democrats successful nan latest PPIC survey, 70% among each apt voters.

Becerra “stood retired from nan remainder of nan candidates because of his inheritance arsenic lawyer general,” Baldassare adds.

“And look astatine nan different candidates. You can’t sanction 1 who has had acquisition successful Sacramento.”

Longshot erstwhile Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was erstwhile authorities Assembly speaker, but that was astir 3 decades ago.

Among nan past 9 California governors, only Schwarzenegger and Reagan person been elected without serving anterior Sacramento stints.

Becerra besides has different asset: He’d beryllium nan first elected Latino politician successful California history. He vanished nan superior run pinch a comfortable lead among Latino voters, arsenic good arsenic Asian American.

As Becerra’s governmental banal rose, Democratic rivals — particularly Steyer — tried to represent him arsenic incompetent, touched by ungraded and a Chevron tool. But nan mud didn’t look to stick.

A earthy Becerra spot is likability.

DiCamillo recalls what his mentor, nan precocious legendary pollster Mervin Field, utilized to opportunity astir really voters take betwixt candidates for politician aliases president.

“It’s a highly individual choice,” DiCamillo says, quoting Field. “People put much intelligence power into choosing a top-of-the-ticket campaigner than immoderate other.

“It’s for illustration trying connected a caller suit. If it doesn’t fresh well, you don’t bargain it. You’ve sewage to beryllium comfortable successful nan feel.”

Many California voters apparently consciousness that measurement astir Becerra — thing flashy, conscionable plain but comfortable.

What other you should beryllium reading

The must-read: Becerra leads governor’s race, pinch Hilton and Steyer successful tight title for 2nd spot, canvass finds
Money honey: Record-setting extracurricular money pouring into California governor’s race
The L.A. Times Special: Voter guideline to nan 2026 California superior election

Until adjacent week,
George Skelton

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