Xavier Becerra gains massive jump in new CA governor's race poll after Swalwell exit

In less than 50 days, Californians will head to the polls to decide who will move forward in the race for governor.

And with Democratic frontrunner Eric Swalwell dropping out this week amid sexual assault accusations, a new poll from Inside California Politics and Emerson College Polling found a lot of undecided supporters are up for grabs.

"This poll emphasizes the degree to which this is so wide open," Menlo College Political Science Professor Melissa Michelson said.

"This should actually be encouraging news to the entire rest of the field that they might get another look," U.C. Berkeley Political Communications Professor Dan Schnur said.

Last month, 17% of those surveyed supported Eric Swalwell, the poll shows a new Democrat is rising since Swalwell's departure.

Xavier Becerra saw a massive 15-point jump among Democrats.

In previous polls, the former US Health Secretary was underperforming, but Michelson says Swalwell's exit has cleared a lane for Becerra.

"Maybe the response to Swalwell is, I need somebody where I can be sure that I've put my support behind this candidate, that there's nothing surprising and terrible that I'm going to learn about them next week," Michelson said.

MORE: DOJ launches investigation into Eric Swalwell over sexual assault allegations, reports say

Six candidates now hold at least 5% of support of the 1,000 people surveyed.

Republican Steve Hilton sits on top with 17%.

Next, Republican Chad Bianco and Democrat Tom Steyer are tied at 14% - making Steyer the frontrunner on the left.

Becerra is now tied with Katie Porter at 10%, while Matt Mahan moved up to 5%.

Schnur says Swalwell's departure opens things up.

"Most observers assumed that the other frontrunners, Katie Porter and Tom Steyer, would benefit the most," Schnur said. "But it looks like Democrats might be taking a longer look at some of the candidates who they had previously dismissed."

This poll was key ahead of the April 22nd debate next week in San Francisco, with 5% needed to earn a spot.

Hilton, Bianco, Steyer and Porter already hit that number - but Becerra and Mahan have now officially qualified as well.

Michelson says this helps with previous concerns involving diversity on the panel, which benefits voters taking that important second-look.

"Now that Becerra has qualified for the debate now, it's not an all-white debate," Michelson said. "And so I think that actually means that more of the eligible candidates will agree to participate. It's going to be a pretty exciting three weeks."

With 23% of voters remaining undecided according to the poll, the next few weeks are very important for candidates before the June primary.