A new poll released this week shows Tom Steyer (D) and Steve Hilton (R) at the top of the pack in the race for California governor.
SurveyUSA's latest polling, conducted on behalf of KGTV News 10 and the San Diego Union-Tribune, shows Steyer and Hilton advancing to the general election in November, with all other candidates trailing well behind.
SurveyUSA interviewed 1,200 adults across California from 4/08/26 through 4/10/26. All interviews were completed by 8:30 pm on 4/10/26, which was a time of significant upheaval surrounding Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell, who has since withdrawn his candidacy in the California governor’s race amid allegations of sexual assault. He also announced on Monday that he is resigning from Congress.
Steyer finished first in the latest SurveyUSA poll with 21% of the vote, and he led among most demographic subgroups, including voters aged 35 to 49, and across most of the state, according to the survey released Sunday.
Hilton took 18% overall and led among younger voters. He tied Steyer among seniors, but led among white voters, parents, Republicans, conservatives, Trump voters, those with high school educations, those with the highest household incomes, and in rural areas and in the Inland Empire.
Hilton’s survey numbers come as Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco (R) continues pressing forward to secure one of the top two spots in the June 2 primary contest, despite ongoing controversy. Under the state's top-two primary system, the two gubernatorial candidates who receive the most votes will advance to November's general election, regardless of their party affiliation.
According to the SurveyUSA poll, Bianco, Swalwell, and Democrat Katie Porter are all effectively tied for 3rd place, with Swalwell nominally ahead at 9%, and Porter and Bianco at 8% each.
Five other Democrats are far further back: Antonio Villaraigosa at 5%; Xavier Becerra at 4%; Betty Yee at 4%; Matt Mahan at 4%; and Tony Thurmond at 1%.
That said, 18% of likely voters told SurveyUSA they are still undecided.
Of note, SurveyUSA voters overwhelmingly say the cost of living is the biggest issue facing California right now, with 42% citing it as the top issue. 10% say it's homelessness; 9% say housing; other issues include immigration and threats to democracy (both 7%), climate change and health care (both 5%), and crime (4%).
California voters told SurveyUSA they would prefer a Governor who:
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Temecula, CA Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.