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

Click here: to donate by Credit Card

Or here: to donate by PayPal

Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

Thank you very much and God bless you.


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-35 next last
Turn Cally red again.
1 posted on 02/19/2026 12:43:05 AM PST by Libloather
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Libloather

The normal massive Commiefornia voter fraud will never allow a Republican governor...illegal alien invaders will ensure that outcome.


2 posted on 02/19/2026 12:56:01 AM PST by newfreep ("There is no race problem...just a problem race")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Libloather; pollywog; Jane Long; cuz1961; 21twelve

Dear Lord, LET IT BE SO!!!!!

Jack Hibbs, Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, is VERY active politically and really endorsing this guy and urging Christians to get out and vote.

This Service of theirs is with Steve Hilton and Michel Gates.

It’s a long interview, about an hour and a half, but contains a wealth of in formation about these candidates for the governor and attorney general’s race inn CA.

You Have No Idea What’s Coming!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLWhHpOyFbM&t=60s


3 posted on 02/19/2026 1:13:46 AM PST by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus….)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Libloather

As much as this would be nice, I consider this highly unlikely.


4 posted on 02/19/2026 1:45:14 AM PST by Zathras
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Zathras
As much as this would be nice, I consider this highly unlikely.

The Demonrat candidates are outpolling the GOP 40-31%. I think it will be business as usual in Commiefornia.

By the way, shouldn't someone from the Hilton hotel dynasty afford a pen that doesn't leak over his hand?

Hilton-01
5 posted on 02/19/2026 2:09:37 AM PST by Right_Wing_Madman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: All

Much as I like these reports, they only serve to let
Democrats know the scale of the cheat needed to win.


6 posted on 02/19/2026 2:09:52 AM PST by Liz (Jonathan Swift: Government without the consent of the governed is the very definition of slavery.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Right_Wing_Madman

Very common in left handed writers.


7 posted on 02/19/2026 2:40:47 AM PST by cnsmom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: newfreep

And/or oh so helpful workers related to polls or vote tabulating, they will surely step in as need be to ensure dems appear to win.


8 posted on 02/19/2026 2:41:04 AM PST by b4me (Pray, and let God change you. He knows better than you or anyone else, who He made you to be.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Libloather

Commifornia is great as an example of voter incompetence.

Does the GOP NOW want to have their hand on the tiller?


9 posted on 02/19/2026 2:57:09 AM PST by Does so (☞"For English, press 2"...Dem☭¢rats)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: cnsmom

Those erasable pens from the 80’s were the worst...


10 posted on 02/19/2026 2:59:42 AM PST by mowowie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Right_Wing_Madman

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


11 posted on 02/19/2026 3:33:06 AM PST by Theodore R. ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Right_Wing_Madman

Stupid comment. It’s because he’s left handed and his hand moves over what he just wrote.


12 posted on 02/19/2026 3:47:18 AM PST by spacejunkie2001
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Libloather

It’s a pipe dream.

California’s illegals, dead people and virtual voters aren’t going to let Hilton take the governorship from the democrats.


13 posted on 02/19/2026 3:50:39 AM PST by Iron Munro (Pamela Geller: Where Islam dominates democracy and non-muslims perish.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: spacejunkie2001
Stupid comment. It’s because he’s left handed and his hand moves over what he just wrote.

Send this link to Steve Hilton:

Pentel EnerGel RTX RT Liquid Gel Pen

"Pentel EnerGel gel pens are highly recommended for left-handed writers due to their exceptionally fast-drying, low-viscosity ink that prevents smudging. The ink dries almost instantly, reducing the common 'lefty smear' while providing a smooth, skip-free writing experience."

14 posted on 02/19/2026 3:58:07 AM PST by Right_Wing_Madman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Libloather

Well, the election ain’t over until the cemetery vote is counted...


15 posted on 02/19/2026 4:11:41 AM PST by PubliusMM (RKBA; a matter of fact, not opinion. The Dhimmicraps are ALL Traitors. All of them.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Right_Wing_Madman

I respect your opinion but have you ever lived in CA?
I lived there for 17 years.
Its pretty much a one party state.


16 posted on 02/19/2026 4:14:54 AM PST by Zathras
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Right_Wing_Madman

Steve Hilton is unrelated to the hotel dynasty. After his father immigrated to England after fleeing Hungary’s Communist regime, the family name, Hircsák, was Anglicized to Hilton.


17 posted on 02/19/2026 4:53:23 AM PST by Fiji Hill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Right_Wing_Madman

> The Demonrat candidates are outpolling the GOP 40-31%. <

That doesn’t matter. Bianco just has to edge in front of Swalwell to finish second. The top two are the candidates in the general.

EC


18 posted on 02/19/2026 5:02:03 AM PST by Ex-Con777 ("Journalism is about covering important stories-with a pillow, until they stop moving." ~ David Burg)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Libloather
Turn Cally red again.

These guys are working hard to do so.

Conejo Valley Flag Run Celebrates Washington's Birthday

Santa Clarita Road Rally Commemorates President Trump's Fifth Year in Office

19 posted on 02/19/2026 5:03:19 AM PST by Fiji Hill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Fiji Hill

You people are missing something. Sheriff Bianco is TIED with Swallwell for SECOND place. If Bianoc finishes ahead that means 2 REPUBLICANS finish 1-2 on June 2.. Guess what that means?

We need to figure out a way to divy up the GOP vote evenly.


20 posted on 02/19/2026 5:05:23 AM PST by DIRTYSECRET
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-35 next 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