A new poll paid for by the California Democratic Party shows two Republicans lead the pack in the race for the state’s next governor. The party’s chairman, Rusty Hicks, announced earlier this month polls would be commissioned and released periodically leading up to the election to show where voters stand on the crowded field of Democratic candidates. Hicks sent an open letter earlier this month urging lower polling Democratic candidates to get out of the race. (Video above: USC cancels California governor debate after accusations of bias from candidates of color.)The new poll released Tuesday morning showed Republican Steve Hilton leading overall with 16% followed by Republican Chad Bianco at 14% Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell, former Congresswoman Katie Porter, and billionaire and climate activist Tom Steyer were basically in a dead heat at 10%. Democratic former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan were tied at 3%. Former State Controller Betty Yee had 1% and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond had 1%. Some candidates were looking to separate themselves from the wide field in a debate that was supposed to be hosted by USC and ABC on Tuesday. Following backlash from state lawmakers and other politicians over criteria that would have left out candidates of color, the debate was canceled late Monday night. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

A new poll paid for by the California Democratic Party shows two Republicans lead the pack in the race for the state’s next governor.

The party’s chairman, Rusty Hicks, announced earlier this month polls would be commissioned and released periodically leading up to the election to show where voters stand on the crowded field of Democratic candidates. Hicks sent an open letter earlier this month urging lower polling Democratic candidates to get out of the race.

(Video above: USC cancels California governor debate after accusations of bias from candidates of color.)

The new poll released Tuesday morning showed Republican Steve Hilton leading overall with 16% followed by Republican Chad Bianco at 14%

Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell, former Congresswoman Katie Porter, and billionaire and climate activist Tom Steyer were basically in a dead heat at 10%.

Democratic former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan were tied at 3%.

Former State Controller Betty Yee had 1% and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond had 1%.

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Poll funded by California Democratic Party shows two Republicans lead pack of candidates for Governor.

Steve Hilton 16%
Chad Bianco 14%

Then 3 Democrats basically in a dead heat:

Eric Swalwell 10%
Katie Porter 10%
Tom Steyer 10% https://t.co/sUlITeX9Rv

— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) March 24, 2026

Some candidates were looking to separate themselves from the wide field in a debate that was supposed to be hosted by USC and ABC on Tuesday.

Following backlash from state lawmakers and other politicians over criteria that would have left out candidates of color, the debate was canceled late Monday night.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel