{"id":290053,"date":"2026-04-28T18:24:27","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T18:24:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/290053\/"},"modified":"2026-04-28T18:24:27","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T18:24:27","slug":"new-poll-shows-tight-governor-race-affordability-issue-focus-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/290053\/","title":{"rendered":"New poll shows tight governor race, affordability issue focus"},"content":{"rendered":"

BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK\/KBFX) \u2014 A new CBS News\/YouGov poll<\/a> released just a day before Tuesday’s gubernatorial debate<\/a> shows a wide-open race for California governor and highlights the key issues likely to dominate the stage.<\/p>\n

Among likely voters, Steve Hilton leads with 16%, followed closely by Tom Steyer at 15% and Xavier Becerra at 13%. Chad Bianco polls at 10%, while Katie Porter comes in at 9%.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/p>\n

Photo shows the eight top polling candidates who are slated to face off in the CBS California Governor’s Debate on Tues., April 28, 2026. (CBS Los Angeles)<\/p>\n

Still, the biggest number may be undecided voters \u2014 26% say they haven\u2019t made up their minds, underscoring just how much could change after the debate.<\/p>\n

RELATED: Eight candidates to debate at Pomona College as California governor\u2019s race stays wide open<\/a><\/p>\n

Affordability dominates voters\u2019 concerns<\/p>\n

The poll shows Californians are overwhelmingly focused on affordability \u2014 an issue expected to take center stage during Tuesday’s debate.<\/p>\n

70% say the cost of living is unmanageable in their areaEconomy and jobs (84%) and inflation (75%) rank as top voting issuesNearly half (45%) say lowering taxes should be the top priority for the next governor<\/p>\n

Gas prices remain a major concern as well.<\/p>\n

57% say California\u2019s environmental policies are not worth the added cost at the pumpMore than half say gas prices are at least difficult for their finances\"In<\/p>\n

In an aerial view, a customer pumps gas into his car at an Arco station with gas prices over $5 a gallon on March 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Voters split on direction of the state economy<\/p>\n

The poll paints a mixed \u2014 but largely negative \u2014 picture of how voters feel about California\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n

53% rate the economy as bad (fairly or very)39% say California\u2019s economy is worse than the rest of the country<\/p>\n

At the same time, 53% approve of Governor Gavin Newsom\u2019s job performance, showing a divided electorate heading into the election.<\/p>\n

Trump factor looms over the race<\/p>\n

The poll also highlights how national politics \u2014 particularly Donald Trump \u2014 could shape the governor\u2019s race.<\/p>\n

69% disapprove of Trump\u2019s job performanceA majority (56%) say they want a candidate who opposes TrumpJust 22% want a candidate who supports Trump\"President<\/p>\n

President Donald Trump departs after speaking at an event for NCAA national champions in the State Dining Room of the White House, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)<\/p>\n

That dynamic could influence how candidates position themselves in the debate.<\/p>\n

Foreign policy also in play: Iran conflict<\/p>\n

While the governor\u2019s race is largely focused on state issues, the poll shows global tensions are still a factor for voters.<\/p>\n

67% oppose U.S. military action against IranAbout 73% say a candidate\u2019s stance on the issue matters at least somewhatDebate could sway voters<\/p>\n

With more than a quarter of voters undecided \u2014 and 76% saying debates are at least somewhat important \u2014 Tuesday’s event could be a turning point in the race.<\/p>\n

Candidates will have a chance to address the issues voters say matter most: affordability, the economy, taxes, and public safety \u2014 while also navigating national political divides.<\/p>\n

RELATED: Statewide CBS debate to feature 8 gubernatorial candidates on April 28 ahead of primary<\/a><\/p>\n

How to watch<\/p>\n

You can watch:<\/p>\n

The debate is a joint venture between CBS Los Angeles, CBS Bay Area and CBS Sacramento and is being hosted in collaboration with the Asian Pacific American Public Affairs Association at Pomona College\u2019s Bridges Auditorium in Claremont. The debate will broadcast live on most CBS stations statewide, including here in Bakersfield.<\/p>\n

For full candidate interviews with Eyewitness News, you can watch them here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK\/KBFX) \u2014 A new CBS News\/YouGov poll released just a day before Tuesday’s gubernatorial debate shows a…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":290054,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[151,153,152],"class_list":["post-290053","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-bakersfield","tag-bakersfield","tag-bakersfield-headlines","tag-bakersfield-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/290053","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=290053"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/290053\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/290054"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=290053"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=290053"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=290053"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}