Poll Shows Republicans Leading California Governor Primary

A new poll shows two Republicans leading California's crowded 2026 gubernatorial primary, raising the possibility that both could advance to the November general election under the state's top-two system, potentially excluding Democrats from the ballot in the nation's most populous state.

The survey, conducted by the University of California, Berkeley's Institute of Governmental Studies from March 9 to 15, found Republican commentator Steve Hilton atop the field with 17 percent support among likely voters. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco followed closely at 16 percent. The top Democratic contenders, U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell and former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, each garnered 13 percent. Businessman Tom Steyer registered at 10 percent, while former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra stood at 5 percent. Other Democrats, including former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, polled in the low single digits, with 16 percent of respondents undecided or supporting lesser-known candidates.

The results highlight the impact of California's nonpartisan primary, scheduled for June 2, where only the two highest vote-getters advance...