Story perspectives

Becerra Ties Hilton at 18% in Top-Two Poll

5/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

Former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown endorsed Tom Steyer, praising his deep understanding of complex issues.
The endorsement coincided with the Service Employees International Union backing Steyer and Xavier Becerra.
A poll showed Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton tied at 18% of likely voters, the first Democrat to reach the top two.
Republican leaders said two GOP candidates could advance to the November general election under the top-two system.

History

Historical Context

In June 2010 California voters approved Proposition 14, the Top-Two Primaries Act, with 54 % support after State Senator Abel Maldonado authored it and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger backed it. The law created a single primary ballot, sending the two top vote-getters to the general election for statewide offices—including U.S. Senate seats—keeping Republicans out of Senate general elections from 2012 to 2022, a trend echoed in Tom Steyer’s SEIU-backed campaign with Xavier Becerra.

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Story summary

Former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown endorsed Tom Steyer, praising his deep understanding of complex issues.
The endorsement coincided with the Service Employees International Union backing Steyer and Xavier Becerra.
A poll showed Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton tied at 18% of likely voters, the first Democrat to reach the top two.
Republican leaders said two GOP candidates could advance to the November general election under the top-two system.

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