A new statewide poll released on Thursday shows Republicans firmly in command of California’s 2026 gubernatorial race after former Rep. Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign amid rape allegations and resigned from Congress.
The Emerson College Polling survey, conducted April 14-15, finds two Republicans, former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, occupying the top two spots in the jungle primary.
Under California’s system, the two highest vote-getters advance to the November general election regardless of party.
Full results (all likely voters):
- Steve Hilton (R): 17%
- Chad Bianco (R): 14%
- Tom Steyer (D): 14%
- Xavier Becerra (D): 10%
- Katie Porter (D): 10% (tied with Becerra in some breakdowns)
- Matt Mahan (D, San Jose Mayor): 5%
- Undecided: 23%
President Donald Trump has endorsed Hilton.
They’ll twiddle with the numbers again to bump the Republicans out by a little margin. It’s what they do.