Becerra gains ground as California governor race shrinks further

Betty Yee’s suspension of her California governor campaign has further narrowed a race already jolted by Eric Swalwell’s exit, giving Xavier Becerra a clearer path to consolidate support as the field around Gov. Gavin Newsom’s successor grows less crowded and more volatile.

Yee said Monday, April 20, 2026, that she was ending her bid because she lacked the financial support, donor backing and polling strength needed to keep going. The former California state controller entered the race in 2024 and had sought to become the first woman to serve as governor, but she remained near the bottom of public polling for months and never broke into the top tier.

Her departure matters less as a standalone withdrawal than as another sign that the Democratic lane is reorganizing around viability, money and name recognition. Swalwell left the race after sexual assault allegations he denies, and his abrupt exit opened space for rivals to absorb his backers, attention and small-dollar energy. Becerra appears to be the main beneficiary so far. A recent poll put him at roughly 10% overall support, after months of single-digit numbers, and recent reports said his campaign saw a surge in online engagement and fundraising after Swalwell exited.

That shift comes with the June 2 primary now only weeks away. County elections officials will begin mailing ballots on May 4, secure ballot drop-off locations open May 5 and the last day to register to vote is May 18. Nearly a quarter of likely California primary voters have been reported as undecided, leaving the contest fluid even after two Democrats bowed out.

The shrinking field also sharpens the stakes of California’s top-two primary system. Yee had warned that a fragmented Democratic race could hand Republicans an opening, including the possibility that two Republicans could advance if Democrats fail to consolidate. With neither Becerra nor any other Democrat establishing clear front-runner status, the race has become a test of which candidates can combine enough fundraising, endorsements and ideological appeal to avoid splintering the electorate before the ballots are even counted.