Hilton Leads California Governor Race in Emerson Poll

A February Emerson College Polling survey of California’s 2026 governor nonpartisan primary shows Republican Steve Hilton leading at 17%, with Eric Swalwell and Chad Bianco tied at 14% each and 21% undecided; Democrats remain split without a clear frontrunner, Newsom’s approval sits at 44% with 45% disapproval, and voters cite housing and the cost of living as top concerns.