IN KING CITY, I’M BK, KSBW ACTION NEWS 8. SOME MOVEMENT ON THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR IN CALIFORNIA. FORMER CALIFORNIA CONTROLLER BETTY YEE IS DROPPING OUT OF THE RACE. SHE SAYS SHE DOESN’T THINK SHE CAN GAIN ENOUGH SUPPORT TO CONTINUE ON. DOZENS OF CANDIDATES ARE STILL OFFICIALLY ON THE BALLOT. HERE’S WHERE THE FRONT RUNNERS STAND. TWO REPUBLICANS STILL HOLD THE TOP SPOT IN EARLY POLLING FROM EMERSON COLLEGE. 17 PERCENT SUPPORT REPUBLICAN STEVE HILTON. HILTON GOT AN ENDORSEMENT FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP. 14 PERCENT FOR RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF CHAD BIANCO.. AS FOR THE DEMOCRATS… 14 PERCENT FOR BILLIONAIRE TOM STEYER. 10 PERCENT FOR XAVIER BECERRA WHO GOT A SLIGHT BUMP AFTER ERIC SWAWELL’S EXIT. 10 PERCENT FOR KATIE PORTER AND…. 5 PERCENT SAN JOSE MAYOR MATT MAHAN. KEEP IN MIND… EARLY POLLING ALSO SHOWS 23 PERCENT OF VOTERS ARE STILL UNDECIDED.## CALIFORNIA HAS “OPEN PRIMARIES”. THAT MEANS… THE TOP 2 CANDIDATES… REGARDLESS OF PARTY AFFILIATION…. WILL BE ON THE BALLOT FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION. THERE IS SOME CONCERNS AMONG DEMOCRATS THAT THIS COULD SHUT THEIR PARTY OUT IF BOTH GOP CANDIDATES COME OUT ON TOP. AS FOR THE ISSUES CALIFORNIA VOTERS CARE ABOUT THE MOST…EMERSON COLLEGE POLLS SHOW..
California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas endorses Xavier Becerra for governor
Updated: 11:46 AM PDT Apr 21, 2026
Speaker of the California Assembly Robert Rivas has thrown his endorsement behind a candidate for California governor.Rivas announced Tuesday his endorsement of former Health and Human Services Secretary and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra for governor.Rivas’ statement reads:“California is under threat. Every day, the Trump administration is coming after our healthcare, our families, and our values. There’s no time to learn on the job — we need a governor who’s ready to fight back on day one. That’s why I’m proud to endorse Xavier Becerra for governor. As U.S. Health Secretary, he expanded healthcare coverage. As California’s attorney general, he sued the Trump administration 122 times. He defended Obamacare. He defended Dreamers. He defended working people. And he won. Thirty years of leadership. Millions of Californians protected and defended. We have a strong Democratic field for governor. But right now, we need someone ready on day one. Xavier Becerra is that leader.”Along with Rivas, 14 members of the Assembly Democratic Caucus announced their support for Becerra’s gubernatorial campaign, including Assemblymembers David Alvarez, Mike Fong, John Harabedian, Stephanie Nguyen, Blanca Pacheco, Darshana Patel, Rhodesia Ransom, Celeste Rodriguez, Michelle Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Pilar Schiavo, Catherine Stefani, Lori Wilson, and Rick Zbur.“It’s an honor to have the support of Speaker Rivas and the many state legislators from across California. I look forward to working with the Speaker and legislators on Day One to tackle the problems Californians care about most — from the skyrocketing cost of groceries and housing to our unyielding fight against the Trump administration’s disastrous policies. Californians need an experienced and trusted leader who doesn’t need on-the-job training,” said Becerra.Currently, an Emerson College poll has Becerra tied at 10% of the vote for the Democratic nomination for governor with Katie Porter. Tom Steyer leads all Democrats with 14% of the vote.That 14% ties Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and is just 3 percentage points behind current gubernatorial favorite — and Trump-endorsed frontrunner — Steve Hilton, who has an estimated 17% of the vote.
SALINAS, Calif. —
Speaker of the California Assembly Robert Rivas has thrown his endorsement behind a candidate for California governor.
Rivas announced Tuesday his endorsement of former Health and Human Services Secretary and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra for governor.
Rivas’ statement reads:
“California is under threat. Every day, the Trump administration is coming after our healthcare, our families, and our values. There’s no time to learn on the job — we need a governor who’s ready to fight back on day one. That’s why I’m proud to endorse Xavier Becerra for governor. As U.S. Health Secretary, he expanded healthcare coverage. As California’s attorney general, he sued the Trump administration 122 times. He defended Obamacare. He defended Dreamers. He defended working people. And he won. Thirty years of leadership. Millions of Californians protected and defended. We have a strong Democratic field for governor. But right now, we need someone ready on day one. Xavier Becerra is that leader.”
Along with Rivas, 14 members of the Assembly Democratic Caucus announced their support for Becerra’s gubernatorial campaign, including Assemblymembers David Alvarez, Mike Fong, John Harabedian, Stephanie Nguyen, Blanca Pacheco, Darshana Patel, Rhodesia Ransom, Celeste Rodriguez, Michelle Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Pilar Schiavo, Catherine Stefani, Lori Wilson, and Rick Zbur.
“It’s an honor to have the support of Speaker Rivas and the many state legislators from across California. I look forward to working with the Speaker and legislators on Day One to tackle the problems Californians care about most — from the skyrocketing cost of groceries and housing to our unyielding fight against the Trump administration’s disastrous policies. Californians need an experienced and trusted leader who doesn’t need on-the-job training,” said Becerra.
Currently, an Emerson College poll has Becerra tied at 10% of the vote for the Democratic nomination for governor with Katie Porter. Tom Steyer leads all Democrats with 14% of the vote.
That 14% ties Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and is just 3 percentage points behind current gubernatorial favorite — and Trump-endorsed frontrunner — Steve Hilton, who has an estimated 17% of the vote.