Becerra Surges After Swalwell Collapse, Reshaping California Governor Race

Xavier Becerra has surged in recent polls, won endorsements including Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and 14 Democratic legislators, and raised more than $1 million on ActBlue in the week ending Saturday, his campaign said.

Becerra's rise followed the collapse of Eric Swalwell's campaign amid sexual assault allegations on April 12, with polls showing him move from single digits into double digits.

Democratic operatives, donors and some Newsom allies have gravitated toward Becerra while critics renewed scrutiny of his HHS tenure, a corruption scheme tied to a dormant campaign account, and past handling of migrant children, sources and campaign spokespeople said.

Polling and betting figures ranged roughly from 10 to 39 percent, with specific results including 10 percent (Emerson), 13 percent (state Democratic poll), 15 percent (Gudelunas), 23 percent (Independent Voter News) and 39 percent (Polymarket).

Mail ballots will go out during the first week in May and the top-two June 2 primary will determine which two candidates advance to the November general election, keeping Democratic leaders focused on preventing a Republican lockout.