Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Republican Steve Hilton rockets to lead in California governor’s race
California Post ^ | 2/18/26 | Zain Khan

Posted on 02/19/2026 12:43:05 AM PST by Libloather

Republican Steve Hilton has opened up a surprise lead in the California governors race, according to a new poll.

The Fox News contributor and staunch critic of Gov. Gavin Newsom is leading the crowded field, with 17% support, according to the Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics survey.

Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell and GOP candidate Sheriff Chad Bianco are tied for second at 14%, followed by former Rep. Katie Porter at 10%. Billionaire Tom Steyer trails one point behind her.

About 21% of voters remain undecided, a 10-point decrease from the last poll in December, with Hilton gaining 5 points since then.

“The Republican electorate in California is split between Steve Hilton (38%) and Chad Bianco (37%), while Hilton also picks up a plurality of independent voter support at 22%,” said Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling.

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, the last candidate to join the race, only saw 3.4% support in the poll, putting him toward the bottom of the 12-candidate field.

“Democratic voters have not yet clearly coalesced around one candidate,” Kimball added.

(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; History; Local News; Society
KEYWORDS: ca; california; elections; governor; hilton; race; stevehilton
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-36 last
To: Right_Wing_Madman

Probably from the left hand rubbing over freshly written lines...


21 posted on 02/19/2026 5:06:29 AM PST by trebb (So many fools - so little time...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Libloather

22 posted on 02/19/2026 5:27:06 AM PST by larrytown (I will not be rage-baited.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Libloather

CHECK


23 posted on 02/19/2026 5:42:05 AM PST by Vaduz (NEVER TRUST A DEMOCRAT)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Libloather

He gets elected only to blame him for all the mismanagement and fraud after Ronnie left.


24 posted on 02/19/2026 5:46:40 AM PST by Mouton (There is a new sheriff and deputy in town now!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Libloather

I believe a real earthquake will take down California before a political earthquake like the governorship going red as in Republican as it is already red as in Commie.


25 posted on 02/19/2026 5:50:50 AM PST by Biblebelter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Biblebelter; SaveFerris

I believe a real earthquake will take down California before a political earthquake like the governorship going red as in Republican as it is already red as in Commie.


That’ll be the day I go back to Annandale.


26 posted on 02/19/2026 5:54:45 AM PST by dfwgator ("I am Charlie Kirk!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: dfwgator

Or was he talking about Annandale N.J.? I found out later Fagan was actually born/raised in Jersey.


27 posted on 02/19/2026 5:59:58 AM PST by stevio (Fight until you die!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: stevio

Annandale is Bard College at Annandale-on-Hudson, NY. The song is supposed to be about a drug bust that Gordon Liddy may have been involved in.


28 posted on 02/19/2026 6:07:35 AM PST by x
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: Libloather

“Turn Cally red again.”

Millions of welfare grifting, Mexican flag waving, gang-banging foreigners.


29 posted on 02/19/2026 6:48:22 AM PST by dljordan (Yeah, I'm a Boomer and it's all my fault you whiny little bitch.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Theodore R.

“CA is so full of wild-eyed radicals that a Democrat could not lose.”

They’ve moved to Texas, Florida, Tennessee and Colorado.


30 posted on 02/19/2026 6:49:37 AM PST by dljordan (Yeah, I'm a Boomer and it's all my fault you whiny little bitch.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Libloather

Great news!


31 posted on 02/19/2026 6:51:54 AM PST by MGunny ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: stevio

Annandale-On-Hudson, home of Bard College, where Becker and Fagen went.


32 posted on 02/19/2026 6:53:57 AM PST by dfwgator ("I am Charlie Kirk!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: dfwgator; x

Thanks!


33 posted on 02/19/2026 6:55:28 AM PST by stevio (Fight until you die!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: newfreep

So long as mailin ballots are allowed there can be no honest election.

Also, that Sheriff Bianco blew his chance once he came out saying he will push for amnesty for illegals. Pi$$ on him.


34 posted on 02/19/2026 8:08:44 AM PST by bobbo666
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Libloather

My crystal ball tells that Hilton will be cheated out of his win of Governor of Kalifornia. He doesn’t pass the Getty family’s smell test.


35 posted on 02/19/2026 10:10:47 AM PST by drypowder
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Arthur Wildfire! March; Berosus; Bockscar; BraveMan; cardinal4; ...

36 posted on 02/19/2026 5:00:26 PM PST by SunkenCiv (TDS -- it's not just for DNC shills anymore -- oh, wait, yeah it is.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-36 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson