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

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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.