From Newsgroup: alt.law-enforcement
Is there really a chance in Hell that a sane Republican
could beat the crazy Democrats in the 2020s in California ?
from
https://ktla.com/news/politics/inside-california-politics/california-governor-poll-february-2026/
Republican Steve Hilton surges ahead in California governorrCOs race
by: Marc Sternfield
Posted: Feb 18, 2026 / 03:00 AM PST
Updated: Feb 18, 2026 / 08:20 AM PST
A new frontrunner has emerged in CaliforniarCOs wide-open race for governor.
Conservative commentator Steve Hilton now leads the field with 17%,
followed by Democrat Rep. Eric Swalwell and Riverside County Sheriff
Chad Bianco, a Republican, who are tied at 14%, according to an Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics survey of 1,000 likely voters released Wednesday.
Hilton is a former director of strategy for British Prime Minister David Cameron and a current Fox News contributor. He took in roughly $4.1
million in donations in the second half of 2025, according to campaign
finance reports cited by CalMatters.
Bianco had a one point lead over Hilton and Swalwell in early December.
Former Rep. Katie Porter has 10% support in the latest poll and
billionaire Tom Steyer has 9% rCo both are Democrats. Importantly, 21% of respondents said they remain undecided.
Pollsters noted that since December, support for Hilton and Steyer rose
five points, support for Swalwell increased two points and support for
Porter dipped by one point.
California Governor's Race Poll February 2026
An Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics survey found Steve Hilton leading with 17% in February 2026. (KTLA)
rCLThe Republican electorate in California is split between Steve Hilton
at 38% and Chad Bianco at 37%, while Hilton also picks up a plurality of independent voters at 22%,rCY said Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling. rCLDemocratic voters have not yet clearly
coalesced around one candidate.rCY
Outside the top tier, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan has struggled to gain
traction since entering the race in late January.
rCLMaybe its because he got in late, but the enthusiasm for his candidacy
is not right now translating into votes,rCY noted political analyst Matt Klink.
CaliforniarCOs primary is set for June 2. The two candidates with the most votes, regardless of party, will advance to the November general
election to determine who will succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is
term-limited.
With the race in flux, Klink said it is possible California voters could
see two Republicans on the November ballot rCo and no Democrats.
California Governor's Race Candidates
From left, Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton, Matt Mahan, Tom Steyer, Tony Thurmond, Antonio Villaraigosa and Betty Yee stand on the stage during
the California gubernatorial candidate debate Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in
San Francisco. (AP Photo/Laure rCa
Read More
rCLIt is mathematically possible that you could have two Republicans
finishing onerCatwo in the primary,rCY he said. rCLThat said, I believe the political brains in the Democratic Party will get involved and say we
need to make sure we get one of our candidates into the runoff because
he or she will likely win the general election.rCY
The survey was conducted Feb. 13-14 and carries a margin of error of 3 percentage points.
Other poll results:
rCo The survey found 44% approve of Gov. NewsomrCOs job performance, while
45% disapprove. That represents a three-point drop in approval and a
six-point rise in disapproval since the December Emerson/Inside
California Politics poll.
rCo A majority of voters at 53% say they have considered leaving
California because of the staterCOs cost of living.
rCo Asked to identify the biggest strain on their household budgets, 28%
cited housing, 21% utilities and 17% groceries.
rCo On immigration policy, 41% prefer the Biden administrationrCOs approach, 38% favor TrumprCOs and 21% prefer neither.
Marc Sternfield is the Director of Digital Content at KTLA 5, where he oversees digital news strategy, streaming, and social media. His
editorial focus includes crime and public safety, weather and climate,
and consumer news, with an emphasis on the Southern California economy. Contact Marc:
marc.sternfield@ktla.com.
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