The poll of 1,000 registered voters conducted March 7-9 found Swalwell, who represents the eastern Bay Area, at 17%, up from 14% in mid-February<\/a>. Hilton, a Republican commentator, slipped from 17% to 13%.<\/p>\n Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco<\/a>, also a Republican, polled at 11.4%, followed closely by billionaire Democratic activist Tom Steyer at 11%.<\/p>\n Another 24.5% of voters say they are still undecided, leaving the race wide open as California heads toward the June 2 primary. The top two finishers, regardless of party, will advance to the November general election to determine who succeeds Gov. Gavin Newsom<\/a>, who is term limited.<\/p>\n The results of an Emerson College Polling\/Inside California Politics survey released on March 11, 2026. (KTLA)<\/p>\n \u201cRep. Swalwell\u2019s support increased among Democratic voters in the past month from 23% to 27%, along with Tom Steyer, whose support among this group also increased from 12% to 16%,\u201d said Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling. \u201cA plurality of the independent electorate is undecided, 39%, while 12% support Swalwell and Hilton respectively, and Republicans are split between Hilton, 38%, and Bianco, 34%.\u201d<\/p>\n Support for former congresswoman Katie Porter, once considered a frontrunner in the race, fell from just short of 10% in February to 8.4% in the latest survey.<\/p>\n Several other prominent Democrats, including San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, polled around 3%.<\/p>\n![\"Poll](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/e1e365e81ec46b3efe80acf3191db733.jpeg\"\/)
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