Governor's race wildly unpredictable two weeks before Californians receive ballots

Key Points:

• Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra surged in the California governor's race following former Rep. Eric Swalwell's exit amid sexual misconduct allegations and former state Controller Betty Yee withdrawing her candidacy due to fundraising challenges.
• A recent Democratic Party poll showed Becerra tied with billionaire Tom Steyer at 13% support, with former Rep. Katie Porter slightly increasing to 10%, while other Democrats remained in single digits amid concerns about vote-splitting in the top-two primary system.
• Democratic leaders urged low-polling candidates to reconsider running to consolidate support, but Becerra held firm and gained momentum, positioning himself as a labor-backed candidate emphasizing experience and union support.
• Steyer, who has invested $133 million in his campaign, received an endorsement from the progressive group Our Revolution, despite criticism from rival candidate San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan over Steyer's past hedge fund investments linked to private prisons.
• Mahan proposed a special fund to boost California's struggling entertainment industry and benefits from an independent support effort that has raised approximately $11 million since Swalwell's departure.