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Republicans hold an astonishing lead in California’s upcoming gubernatorial election amid the fallout surrounding now-former Democrat Rep. Eric Swalwell’s departure from the race.
The latest Emerson College/Inside California Politics survey found that Republican Steve Hilton, who received President Donald Trump’s endorsement, led a group of seven other candidates with nearly 17 percent support. Republican Chad Bianco placed second with 14.4 percent, followed by Democrat Tom Steyer with 14.1 percent.
Former Democrat Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and Democrat Rep. Katie Porter each received 10 percent, trailed by San Jose Democrat Mayor Mat Mahan with 5.4 percent.
Twenty-three percent of California voters in the poll reported as undecided in the days after Swalwell, who was seemingly gaining momentum, exited the race and resigned from his Congressional seat amid sexual assault allegations.
The California gubernatorial race features a jungle primary in which all candidates compete for the top two spots regardless of party affiliation, RSBN previously reported.
The top two candidates would then face off in a general election this November. If two Republicans won June’s jungle primary, California would likely receive its first Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger.