Republicans top California's confounding race for governor, new poll shows

[quaint]

LATimes
Voters show scattered preference for governor in crowded field

Steve Hilton
(R) Small business owner
17%

Chad Bianco
(R) Riverside County sheriff
16%

Eric Swalwell
(D) U.S. representative
13%

Katie Porter
(D) Consumer protection advocate
13%

Tom Steyer
(D) Climate advocate
10%

Xavier Becerra
(D) Voting rights advocate
5%

Antonio Villaraigosa
(D) Housing affordability advocate
4%

Matt Mahan
(D) Mayor of San Jose
4%

Betty Yee
(D) Family care navigator
1%

The confounding results appear to be mostly due to the state’s left-leaning electorate feeling uninspired by any single candidate in the crowded field of eight top Democrats. Because of California’s top-two primary rule, that lethargy could lead to Democrats being shut out of a November election that will determine the next leader of the largest state in the union, though that is still considered unlikely.

Conservative commentator Steve Hilton had the support of 17% of likely voters and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco had the backing of 16%, according to a poll released Wednesday by UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies and co-sponsored by The Times.

Several Democrats putting themselves first.
We will remember.

[3catwoman3]

1. Lack of enthusiasm for Eric Swalwell?

I don’t live in California, so maybe I am missing something. I find him very impressive.

[quaint]

3. Too many candidates staying in the race too long.

Lots of working people, especially parents of small kids, don't have time to stay really involved until we get closer to the election. Most of the other Democratic candidates would be fine governors in a normal political situation, so they go with their known favorite.

We need to really focus on informing our busy friends and neighbors how top-two works -- before the June primary. While I really love Katie Porter, in today's world I think Eric Swalwell is the one to continue Newsom's legacy of standing up to Trump.

[3catwoman3]

7. In the IL congressional district 9 primary, there were 15 names on the ballot...

...for Democrats competing to be the chosen one to replace longtime representative Jan Schakowsky. I never understand why someone who is polling in single digits stays in a race. 7 of them each got less than 1% of the votes. They've got to know that they stand the proverbial snowball's chance of winning. What's the point?

Out of a total of 121,354 votes cast, 29,391=24% went to candidates who stood no chance of winning. Seems like wasting a vote, to me.

[quaint]

9. Name recognition for future races.

Being jerks only concerned with their own careers. Hoping voters remember them.

[get the red out]

2. DROP THE F OUT

All dem candidates except Swalwell need to go!

[quaint]

4. That would help, unfortunately the die is cast.

It’s official: Eight Democrats and two Republicans say they have filed paperwork for the June 2 primary ballot in the California governor’s race, setting up a wide-open contest in which two Republicans who have consistently led in polls could shut out all other Democrats. CalMatters

[karin_sj]

5. I find those polls hard to believe

But very scary if true and those results hold. I was curious so I googled about open primaries and found this from the California Secretary of State website:

"All candidates for voter-nominated offices are listed on one ballot and only the top two vote-getters in the primary election – regardless of party preference - move on to the general election."

I can't even imagine having to choose between two republicans. And the fact that is too late for any of the Dem candidates to drop off the ballot is awful. Yes, I know that everyone is disappointed in Democratic politicians, but to have our state run by a republican governor with all that is happening right now the current regime in Washington? Are people that stupid? It pisses me off that so many of these Dem candidates who didn't have a chance in hell of winning didn't drop out when they could have. I hope I get the chance to vote for Swalwell. I think he would make a great governor.

[quaint]

10. All too true.

Schwarzenegger was surprisingly not horrible. Maybe his ex-wife helped.
The Repuglycans this election, beyond horrid.

[the_liberal_grandpa]

6. There is still about 20% undecided

I think (and pray) that Swalwell makes the cut. It would be the worst time for California to have a repub Governor.

[Auggie]

8. It's difficult to fathom that the potential for disaster is not resonating within the party ...

this is dire. Really, really dire. A GOP win in California likely cements Federal authoritarianism.

Someone in the California Democratic Party must be monitoring DU and this group.

PLEASE NARROW THE FIELD!

[quaint]

11. The Party passed their responsibilty onto us at the convention this year.

California Democrats can’t pick a favorite as 9 candidates vie to replace Newsom
February 22, 2026

[Auggie]

12. Really myopic ...

a HUGE gamble.

[Nigrum Cattus]

13. Does not matter in mid March

Here in Cali most people only start choosing who to
vote for in late Sept. early Oct
We will not elect a (R) for gov - chisel that in stone !

[quaint]

14. The primary is set for June. Top two, regardless of party, will be the choices.

That is the reason some of us wanted the lower polling Democrats to pull out before the March deadline.