"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. Following closely behind were Democrats Rep. Eric Swalwell of Northern California and former Orange County Rep. Katie Porter, both of whom had support from 13% of the likely voters surveyed."
"Mark DiCamillo, director of the poll, said he was stunned by how fractured voters are and how little knowledge they have about the candidates less than 60 days before ballots start arriving in Californians' mailboxes. 'This is historic for me, and especially given that none of the candidates have really a positive image rating with voters, also startling.'"
"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. 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."
A UC Berkeley poll reveals Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco leading California's 2026 gubernatorial primary with 17% and 16% support respectively. Democrats Eric Swalwell and Katie Porter follow with 13% each, while Tom Steyer registers 10% despite significant campaign spending. No other Democrat exceeds 5% support. The poll director attributes the fragmentation to voter disengagement and lack of candidate knowledge less than 60 days before voting begins. California's top-two primary rule could potentially exclude all Democrats from the November general election, though this remains unlikely. Voters show minimal enthusiasm for any candidate across the field.
#california-gubernatorial-race-2026 #republican-primary-surge #democratic-voter-fragmentation #top-two-primary-system #voter-disengagement
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