Overview
- An Emerson College survey conducted after Eric Swalwell left the race shows Republican Steve Hilton at 17% and Sheriff Chad Bianco at 14%, the highest statewide figures in the new poll.
- Xavier Becerra, the former California attorney general and U.S. health secretary, rose to 10% from 3%, suggesting many of Swalwell’s backers shifted to him.
- Among Democrats, Tom Steyer polls at 14% with Katie Porter and Becerra at 10% each and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan at 5%, while 23% of voters remain undecided.
- CBS reports that President Trump endorsed Hilton, and the California GOP declined to issue an official endorsement at its convention as Bianco drew the most delegate votes.
- California uses a top-two primary, so a crowded field and many undecided voters could send any two candidates to November, which raises the stakes for name recognition as mail ballots go out next month.