A new poll shows Republican Steve Hilton leading California’s 2026 gubernatorial race.

Emerson College Polling found that Hilton has overtaken former Rep. Katie Porter (D–Irvine) in the race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The big picture: Hilton now leads the race with 16% support, according to the poll. • Porter, who has often placed first in polling and has been called the frontrunner in the race by the media, is behind Hilton at 15%. • Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican, is in third at 11%. • Democrats Xavier Becerra and Antonio Villaraigosa both polled at 5%, followed by Tony Thurmond at 3%, Betty Yee at 2%, Ian Calderon at 1% and Stephen Cloobeck at 1%. • All other candidates combined for 2% of the vote, while the poll found that 39% of voters remain undecided

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