California
California Governor 2026
Likely DPrimaryOpen Seat
A crowded open-seat jungle primary after Newsom's term limit. Porter and Steyer lead the Democratic field after Swalwell's exit, while Republicans Hilton and Bianco compete for a top-two spot.
Steve Hilton
Former Fox News host, tech entrepreneur
16.7%
Chad Bianco
Riverside County Sheriff
13.6%
Katie Porter
Former U.S. Representative, consumer advocate
11.2%
Tom Steyer
Billionaire investor, climate activist
10.8%
Xavier Becerra
Former HHS Secretary, former CA Attorney General
4.2%
Matt Mahan
Mayor of San Jose
3.7%
Antonio Villaraigosa
Former Mayor of Los Angeles
3.6%
Betty Yee
Former State Controller
1.9%
Tony Thurmond
State Superintendent of Public Instruction
1.1%
Mark Zacky
Business executive
1.0%
Polling
Polling Average
Recent Polls(25)
| Pop | Hilton | Bianco | Swalwell | Porter | Steyer | Caruso | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-07 | Kreate Strategies | 700 | LV | 19% | 10% | 13% | 8% | 13% | — |
| 2026-03-18 | Berkeley IGS | 3,889 | LV | 17% | 16% | 13% | 13% | 10% | — |
| 2026-03-15 | Berkeley IGS | 3,889 | LV | 17% | 16% | 13% | 13% | 10% | — |
| 2026-03-11 | Citrin Center / Politico | 1,004 | LV | 19% | 11% | 11% | 11% | 13% | — |
| 2026-03-11 | Emerson College | 1,000 | LV | 13% | 11% | 17% | 8% | 11% | — |
| 2026-03-09 | Emerson | 1,000 | LV | 13% | 11% | 17% | 8% | 11% | — |
| 2026-03-03 | Berkeley IGS | 1,004 | LV | 19% | 11% | 11% | 11% | 13% | — |
| 2026-02-26 | PPIC | 1,049 | LV | 14% | 12% | 11% | 13% | 10% | — |
| 2026-02-23 | Independent Voter News | 868 | LV | 15% | 23% | 18% | 12% | 8% | — |
| 2026-02-18 | Emerson College | 1,000 | LV | 17% | 14% | 14% | 10% | 9% | — |
| 2026-02-14 | Emerson | 1,000 | LV | 17% | 14% | 14% | 10% | 9% | — |
| 2026-02-11 | PPIC | 1,049 | LV | 14% | 12% | 11% | 13% | 10% | — |
| 2026-02-06 | Capitol Weekly | 1,200 | RV | — | — | — | 16% | — | 8% |
| 2026-01-20 | David Binder Research** | 800 | LV | 14% | 17% | 11% | 11% | 8% | — |
| 2025-12-19 | FM3 Research | 632 | LV | 18% | 17% | 17% | 13% | 6% | — |
Showing 15 most recent of 25 polls.
Prediction Markets
Timeline
- Dem panic
- Bianco enters
- Hilton enters