Some Polls Show Becerra at Top In Governor's Race and Still Climbing

"Becerra was about to begin an interview with KTLA reporter Annie Rose Ramos the other day when he quipped nervously, By the way, this is a profile piece, this is not a gotcha piece, right? Ramos responded, Well, look, I think these questions are fair. It's in order to learn about you as a candidate. Becerra reinforced again that the interview was a profile, to which Ramos said, I don't know how you define profile, but I'd like to begin the interview. Becerra then continued to harp on what constituted a profile before letting the actual interview begin."

"Both Becerra's and Porter's clashes seemed to come out of left field for the reporters, as they each said they asked other candidates the same questions who reportedly answered without hesitation. The criticism in both cases has been that if candidates can't handle basic questions about their campaigns, how will they be able to handle Trump?"

"According to Emerson College Polling, Becerra was at the top of the pack this week at 19% 2% ahead of other frontrunners Tom Steyer and Republican Steve Hilton, who tied at 17%. Porter was at 10%. Ramos told KTLA anchors Frank Buckley and Jessica Holmes about the contrast between her interviews with Becerra and the other candidates she's interviewed. I was caught off guard because it was so dramatically different from any of the other candidates that we had approached and sat down with, she said."

"Despite a tense exchange with a reporter this week, along with recent criticism from colleagues, gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra is now in the lead in some polls and continues to rise. Xavier Becerra, now the frontrunner in the governor's race in one poll, marking the first time a Democrat has polled ahead of Republican Steve Hilton, sparked backlash earlier this week after clashing with a reporter during what was supposed to be a routine interview."

Xavier Becerra, a gubernatorial candidate, drew backlash after a tense exchange with a reporter during what was intended to be a routine interview. He repeatedly questioned whether the interview was a profile or a gotcha, delaying the start of the actual questions. Similar criticism had previously affected Katie Porter after a comparable clash, with concerns that candidates who struggle with basic campaign questions may struggle with broader political challenges. Despite the controversy and recent criticism from colleagues, Becerra rose in polling. Emerson College Polling showed him leading at 19%, ahead of Tom Steyer and Steve Hilton at 17%, while Porter was at 10%.

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