Meanwhile, 13% of voters remain undecided.<\/p>\n
The findings contrast sharply with other recent polls, including a Public Policy Institute of California<\/a> survey released Sept. 15 that found likely voters opposed the measure by 12 percentage points.<\/p>\n The survey also found somewhat stronger support for the state’s wealth tax initiative, Proposition 40.<\/p>\n The measure, which would impose a one-time 5% tax on the wealth of California billionaires, is backed by 48% of likely voters, while 40% oppose it.<\/p>\n The SurveyUSA poll found the measure holds an 8-percentage-point advantage, compared with a 6-percentage-point lead in the PPIC poll. It also found a larger share of voters remain undecided, at 12%, compared with 2% in the PPIC poll.<\/p>\n Beyond the ballot races, the poll also explored voters’ views on the governor’s race, House races and the economy.<\/p>\n Here’s what else to know about the poll, which surveyed 1,000 California adults from Sept. 15 to Sept. 20, including 837 registered voters and 742 likely voters.<\/p>\n Becerra holds wide lead over Hilton, poll finds CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 28: (L-R) Steve Hilton (R) and Xavier Becerra (D) speak during CBS Television Stations’ California Gubernatorial Debate on April 28, 2026 in Claremont, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett\/Getty Images for CBS Television Stations)<\/p>\n Democrat Xavier Becerra continues to hold a wide lead over Republican Steve Hilton weeks ahead of California’s gubernatorial race.<\/p>\n Becerra has the support of 55% of likely voters, while Hilton captures 33%, according to the SurveyUSA poll. Twelve percent of voters remain undecided.<\/p>\n Voters largely break along party lines, with 80% of Republicans supporting Hilton and 86% of Democrats backing Becerra. Becerra also has stronger support from independents (46%) than Hilton (34%).<\/p>\n The same is true along ideological lines: 74% of conservatives support Hilton, while 85% of liberals back Becerra, who also garners support from a majority of progressives (71%) and moderates (56%).<\/p>\n Geographically, Becerra holds a double-digit lead over Hilton across much of the state, including the greater Los Angeles area (56%), the Central Valley (56%) and the San Francisco Bay Area (60%). His support is weaker in the Inland Empire, where he leads Hilton by just 5 percentage points with 47% support.<\/p>\n The findings mirror other recent polls, including the PPIC poll released Sept. 15 showing Becerra leading Hilton 60% to 38% among likely voters.<\/p>\n What the poll found about House races<\/p>\n Similar to the governor’s race, the poll found that 58% of likely voters plan to support a Democratic candidate in their U.S. House race, while 33% say they will vote for a Republican candidate.<\/p>\n Ten percent of voters are undecided about which candidate they’d support.<\/p>\n Support for House races mirrors the governor’s race, with voters backing Hilton also tending to support Republican candidates and those backing Becerra often supporting Democrats.<\/p>\n Poll’s findings on approval ratings<\/p>\n The poll also measured approval ratings, finding that all but one of the officials and institutions tested have negative net approval ratings among registered voters. Here is a breakdown of net approval ratings from SurveyUSA’s poll:<\/p>\n Gov. Gavin Newsom: +2 net approval rating (44% approve and 42% disapprove)<\/p>\n The California legislature: -5 net approval rating (34% approve and 39% disapprove)<\/p>\n President Donald Trump: -37 (29% approve and 66% disapprove)<\/p>\n Congress: -48 (17% approve and 65% disapprove)<\/p>\n Californians and the economy<\/p>\n When California adults were asked whether they expect their personal financial situation to be better, worse, or about the same six months from now, 40% said it will remain about the same. Meanwhile, 31% expect to be worse off financially, and 22% expect to be better off.<\/p>\n The poll found that the highest percentage of adults (84%) say the cost of food has increased over the past six months, followed by the cost of transportation or gasoline (77%) and utility bills (63%).<\/p>\n At the same time, only 22% of adults say their incomes have kept pace with their costs, while 72% say they have not. Additionally, 70% say they are concerned about paying bills each month.<\/p>\n When is California’s general election?<\/p>\n![\"CLAREMONT,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/the-desert-sun\/81ea07fd4649697fd9ec01ff4f7dea7a.jpg\"\/)
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