Overview
- UC Berkeley’s IGS/Los Angeles Times poll conducted March 9–14 finds Steve Hilton at 17% and Chad Bianco at 16%, putting two Republicans narrowly ahead heading into the June 2 primary.
- Democrats Eric Swalwell and Katie Porter register 13% each, Tom Steyer is at 10%, and no other Democrat tops 5%, with roughly 16% of likely voters still undecided.
- California’s top-two primary advances the highest two vote-getters regardless of party, raising a real—though not certain—lockout risk for Democrats if their vote remains split.
- California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks has urged low-polling candidates to reassess viability before an April 15 marker to help consolidate support.
- Affordability ranks as voters’ top priority and overall enthusiasm remains low, and while the poll of 5,019 registered voters (±2.5 points) highlights short-term primary risks, Democrats’ statewide dominance since 2006 makes a GOP governorship still unlikely.