Becerra Surges as Yee Exits, While Steyer's $115M Can't Buy a Lead — April 22, 2026

California's governor's race just got a lot clearer — and messier — in the span of 24 hours. Former State Controller Betty Yee has dropped out, citing the brutal reality of lagging polls and a fundraising deficit she couldn't overcome. But in a move that immediately reshuffled the board, Yee endorsed Tom Steyer on her way out the door, throwing her support behind the billionaire climate activist who has now poured a staggering $115 million of his own money into the race — roughly 30 times what his nearest Democratic rivals have spent. The problem for Steyer? Money isn't moving the needle the way you'd expect. A new Emerson College poll shows him trailing Republican candidates Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco despite the unprecedented self-funding blitz. It's the kind of data point that fuels the r/California crowd's gleeful mockery: 'Running for governor, says billionaires like him should pay more taxes.' Meanwhile, a Bernie Sanders-affiliated progressive group endorsed Steyer — a billionaire — which is exactly as awkward as it sounds and generated plenty of online chatter. The bigger story, though, is Xavier Becerra. The former U.S. Attorney General has been quietly building momentum since Eric Swalwell's scandal-driven exit cratered the Democratic establishment lane, and now the surge feels real. California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas has endorsed Becerra, joining a wave of Democratic lawmakers lining up behind him. His rising poll numbers suggest voters are responding to his federal experience and name recognition at a moment when California Democrats are anxious about competence and national standing. The Becerra question — as analyst Ed Kilgore frames it — is whether his surge saves California Democrats by giving them a credible, experienced standard-bearer, or whether it exposes just how thin the bench became after Swalwell's collapse. With Yee out, the Democratic primary is effectively shaping up as Steyer's money versus Becerra's momentum. Republicans Hilton and Bianco, meanwhile, are watching Democrats burn through resources and goodwill and quietly liking what they see. In this episode: Top stories: 1. Lagging in polls and fundraising, Betty Yee drops out of California governor’s race - Local News Matters — Jeanne Kuang, CalMatters https://localnewsmatters.org/2026/04/20/lagging-in-polls-and-fundraising-betty-yee-drops-out-of-california-governors-race/ 2. Former California controller Betty Yee drops out of governor's race | Fox News — Fox News https://www.foxnews.com/politics/another-democrat-exits-californias-crowded-gubernatorial-race-weeks-june-2-primary-election 3. California governor’s race remains wide open as Steyer pours $115M into campaign — Bakersfieldnow https://bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/california-governors-race-remains-wide-open-as-steyer-pours-115m-into-campaign 4. Will the Becerra Surge Save or Sink California Democrats? — Ed Kilgore https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/will-the-becerra-surge-save-or-sink-california-democrats.html 5. California democratic lawmakers rally behind Xavier Becerra for governor amid rising poll numbers | abc10.com — abc10.com https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/california-democratic-lawmakers-rally-behind-xavier-becerra-for-governor/103-a0fa1df7-9f2a-4040-aa9e-4687968bed1f Notable reactions: 1. Betty Yee backs Tom Steyer for governor after exiting race | abc10.com — X https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/betty-yee-backs-tom-steyer-for-governor-exiting-race/103-0acaaf02-9e6f-41b5-bf9d-3ee4d965519c 2. Progressive Group Founded by Bernie Sanders Endorses Billionaire for California Governor — r/politics (15 pts, 43 comments) https://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/1ss6km0/progressive_group_founded_by_bernie_sanders/ 3. California As… Follow and rate California Governor's Race on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Feedback? Email [email protected]