New polling, conducted after videos of former Rep. Katie Porter ‘s interactions with a journalist and a staffer went viral , shows the former congresswoman and Republican Steve Hilton at the front of the pack of contenders in the 2026 race for California governor .

But it also shows many likely voters are still undecided.

Hilton, a former Fox News host who got his start in politics in the United Kingdom, led the new Emerson College poll with 16%.

Porter, who served three terms in Congress representing an Orange County district before mounting an unsuccessful bid for U.S. Senate last year , was nearly tied at 15%.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco came in at No. 3 with 11%. And Democrats Xavier Becerra and Antonio Villaraigosa both clocked in at 5%.

All of the oth

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