Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Tom Steyer have emerged as the frontrunners in California's crowded gubernatorial race, according to a new CBS News poll released Monday. The survey, conducted among likely primary voters, shows Hilton with 16 percent support and Steyer with 15 percent, placing them ahead of a field of eight candidates vying to replace Governor Gavin Newsom.
Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Chad Bianco were the only other contenders to reach double digits, each drawing 10 percent or more. However, 26 percent of likely voters remain undecided ahead of the state’s June 2 primary, signaling significant fluidity in the race.
Debate Looms as Swalwell Exits
CBS is set to host a debate Tuesday for the top candidates, beginning at 5:30 p.m. PDT (8:30 p.m. EDT). This will be the second debate since former Representative Eric Swalwell, once considered an early front-runner, exited the race and resigned from Congress earlier this month amid sexual misconduct allegations.
The poll found that 30 percent of likely voters view the debates as “very important” for learning about the candidates, while 46 percent consider them only “somewhat important.” Another 24 percent said the debates will have little impact on their choice.
Values and Experience Key for Voters
The survey also highlighted what voters prioritize in a candidate. Seventy-seven percent said a candidate’s “values” are an important attribute, while 56 percent pointed to “experience” as a crucial factor.
Among Democratic voters, 71 percent want the next governor to pursue policies similar to Newsom’s. In contrast, 90 percent of Republican voters prefer a leader with a different agenda. Similarly, only 1 percent of Democratic primary voters want a governor who supports President Trump, compared with 70 percent of Republican primary voters.
Newsom, widely seen as a potential Democratic presidential contender in 2028, has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration. The poll’s findings underscore the deep partisan divide in California’s electorate, as the state grapples with issues ranging from housing affordability to climate policy.
The CBS News poll surveyed 1,479 registered voters in California from April 23-27, with a margin of error of approximately 4.2 percentage points. The results come amid a broader political landscape where Democrats have recently gained an edge on economic trust for the first time since 2010, as noted in a Fox News poll.
Meanwhile, the race has been overshadowed by security concerns following the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner shooting, which led to heightened scrutiny of event security at venues like the Washington Hilton. The incident has fueled political attacks, with the White House press secretary linking the violence to Democratic anti-Trump rhetoric.
As the primary approaches, the large undecided bloc could shift the dynamics significantly, especially if debates prove decisive. With two candidates leading but no clear front-runner, California’s gubernatorial race remains wide open.
