A Republican candidate is currently in the lead ahead of California’s gubernatorial primary election in 2026, a new poll has found.
The survey, conducted by Emerson College/Inside California Politics, found that Republican Chad Bianco is currently leading on 13 percent of the vote. He is followed by Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Eric Swalwell on 12 percent each, and Democrat Katie Porter on 11 percent.
However, the poll showed that 31 percent of California voters remain undecided. The poll was conducted between December 1 and 2 on 1000 registered California voters, and had a margin of error of +/- three percentage points.
California will elect a new governor in November 2026 during the midterm elections because Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who has served in the role since 2019, is term-limited.
The state uses a jungle primary system, where all candidates, regardless of political party, run on a single ballot for the primary. The two candidates with the most votes advance to the general election.
This is a developing story. More to follow.