In a surprising turn of events, a California Democrat who recently seemed to be lagging behind in the governor’s race has swiftly emerged as the leading contender, thanks to a wave of support from influential backers.

Xavier Becerra, a former state attorney general and Health and Human Services Secretary under President Joe Biden, has surged to the forefront in a crowded gubernatorial field. On the prediction platform Polymarket, he has now surpassed populist billionaire Tom Steyer, becoming the top choice among bettors.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Becerra was leading with 39% of Polymarket participants wagering on his triumph, while Steyer held 35%, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan trailed with 9%.

Becerra, who has a background in the California state legislature and as attorney general, had struggled to gain momentum until ex-Rep. Eric Swalwell’s campaign dramatically collapsed amid sexual assault allegations earlier this month.

Subsequent polls following Swalwell’s downfall indicate that Becerra has rapidly climbed to a prominent position in voter surveys.

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters

The longtime pol has attempted to brand himself as a “no baggage” Democrat free of scandal.

Robert Rivas, the influential California Assembly speaker, endorsed Becerra in a video message Tuesday, and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s political allies have also been weighing whether to throw their support behind Becerra, Politico reported.

“We have a strong Democratic field for governor, but right now we need someone ready on Day One,” rivas said. “That candidate is Xavier Becerra.”

Critics, however, have called out Becerra’s tumultuous tenure as Health and Human Services chief — when he was ripped for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and a crisis in which the agency lost contact with 85,000 migrant children.

Becerra has also been dinged for his ties to a Sacramento corruption scandal involving his former aide, Sean McCluskie, who pleaded guilty to his role in an alleged scheme to skim funds from a dormant campaign account for a “no-show” job for his wife.

Becerra has not been accused of wrongdoing and has denied knowledge of the alleged activity.