The ballot in California’s nonpartisan primary for governor lists dozens of candidates, but polling in recent months has shown three to be consistently at the top: the Democrats Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer, and the Republican Steve Hilton. Polls also showed that a fair share of voters were still trying to make up their minds.
A pair of April events consolidated a race that had previously seemed wide open. On April 5, President Trump endorsed Mr. Hilton, helping him build a major edge over his fellow Republican, Chad Bianco. And on April 12, former Representative Eric Swalwell dropped out of the race following accusations of sexual assault. He had led in many polls, and much of his support appeared to go to Mr. Becerra and Mr. Steyer.
Since Mr. Swalwell’s exit, more than 20 polls have been fielded. Of the 14 that were fielded independently, six had Mr. Becerra and Mr. Hilton in the top spots; five had Mr. Hilton and Mr. Steyer; two had Mr. Becerra and Mr. Steyer; and one had Mr. Bianco and Mr. Hilton.
Mr. Bianco, a Republican sheriff from Riverside County, had finished in the top two in several other polls earlier in the cycle, causing some to wonder if Democrats would be locked out of the general election. But his support faded once Mr. Trump weighed in.
Former Representative Katie Porter and the San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, both of whom are Democrats, have rounded out the top six in recent polls.
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