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In California, sunny Republican Steve Hilton surpasses dour Democrat Katie Porter in governor's race poll
American Thinker ^ | 10/25/2025 | Monica Showalter

Posted on 10/25/2025 5:46:13 PM PDT by SeekAndFind

Hard as it is to believe, could change really be in the works for California?

It may be, according to this Emerson poll, as reported by Newsweek:

Republican candidate Steve Hilton is very narrowly ahead in the latest poll from Emerson College on California's gubernatorial race, pulling into the lead over former U.S. Representative Katie Porter, the Democratic front-runner.

According to the details:

The latest Emerson poll, conducted on October 20 and October 21, shows Hilton with a slim lead in the crowded field to replace outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom in California next year. The Republican has the support of 16 percent of California's likely voters, whereas Porter is backed by 15 percent.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican, comes in third at 11 percent. Former Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, a Democrat, both tied for fourth at 5%. Several other contenders polled lower, in the single digits.

The poll included 900 likely California voters with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 po

California's primary will be held on June 2, with the top two vote getters to face off in the general election, which will be held on Nov. 3, 2026. Lots can happen, of course, in the meantime, but this is an auspicious start.

Why might it be happening?

Well, against Porter, a sour old leftist, Hilton comes off as sunny and can-do. He's got an unexpected English accent, which tends to be a plus in California. Disposition, or charisma, as AT contributor Selwyn Duke noted, commenting on New York's mayoral race, tends to be determinative in outcomes of election. 

But he's more than that. Like socialist frontrunner Zohran Mamdani in New York, he's got his fingers on the pulse of what's bothering voters


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


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: California
KEYWORDS: california; governor; katieporter; stevehilton
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1 posted on 10/25/2025 5:46:13 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind
It's very difficult for a Republican to be governor in California these days. The candidate has to win two-thirds of the vote.

2 posted on 10/25/2025 5:49:34 PM PDT by Right_Wing_Madman
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To: SeekAndFind

Go, Steve! Go, go, go!


3 posted on 10/25/2025 5:50:14 PM PDT by Fiji Hill
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To: SeekAndFind

up by 1 in a poll with a margin of error of 3.2 in a state with a margin of fraud of 5.3. Don’t pop the cork on the bubbly just yet....


4 posted on 10/25/2025 5:52:03 PM PDT by vikingd00d (chown -R us ~you/base)
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To: Right_Wing_Madman

Huh?

Don’t they still have a jungle primary?

Hilton will need more than 16% to get to the general election.


5 posted on 10/25/2025 5:56:02 PM PDT by scrabblehack
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To: Fiji Hill
Kudos to Steve to tilt at windmills. I always had a soft spot for Don Quixotie!

But seeing how the last better known Steve was beaten by the Schiff-storm in a very Trump year, I JUST DO NOT see how it can happen.

6 posted on 10/25/2025 5:57:27 PM PDT by Vigilanteman (The politicized state destroys many aspects of civil society, human kindness and private charity.)
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To: SeekAndFind

I wish there was proper reporting on this pol. 39% undecided. Two Republicans and 6 plus dems. The Republicans have 27%, 34% have chosen a dem.

The election is a year away and a lot of things will play out in that year. These polls are not really telling us much.

WQhat is amazing is that Katie Porter is still even in this race.


7 posted on 10/25/2025 6:00:41 PM PDT by Steven Scharf
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To: scrabblehack

So two Republicans in the primary have 27% total.

I’m glad if Steve can advance to the general, but can he get a majority in a two way race?

Maybe.


8 posted on 10/25/2025 6:03:17 PM PDT by Williams (Thank God for the election of President Trump!)
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To: SeekAndFind

Senator Amy Klobuchar had the same problem when she ran for the presidential nomination back in 2023. Someone best known to be a crude sourpuss and a rude grouch.
Who can forget that story about her eating her salad with a comb.


9 posted on 10/25/2025 6:05:13 PM PDT by lee martell
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To: Williams

After half-hearted efforts a couple months ago, the Governor and Legislature are presently doing nothing to address the loss of 18% of our gas supply when one of our few remaining refineries closes this year, and another next. Speculation is $7-12 per gallon next year. If that happens I think there will be some surprises in the election


10 posted on 10/25/2025 6:17:04 PM PDT by j.havenfarm (24 years on Free Republic, 12/10/24! More than 10,500 replies and still not shutting up!)
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To: SeekAndFind
I will be surprised if ANY Republican ends up on the runoff ballot.

Leading up to the primary, three bogus Republicans will announce they are running (to split the (R) vote) while three (D) candidates drop out.

Hilton gets third place in the primary, and there's two democrats in the runoff. Hope I'm wrong.

11 posted on 10/25/2025 6:21:25 PM PDT by ZOOKER
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To: SeekAndFind

16% support is nothing to celebrate or even find significant regardless of who is “leading”


12 posted on 10/25/2025 6:27:51 PM PDT by Republican Wildcat
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To: lee martell

I have thought of that every time her name comes up - eating salad with a comb.


13 posted on 10/25/2025 6:28:56 PM PDT by Republican Wildcat
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To: ZOOKER

Conservatives/right of center candidates should all run as Democrats in California. There is no party primary. Render their scheme a nonpartisan ballot by doing that. Then the candidates can run on issues vs. party - the “R” next to the name makes it an instant “not even listening to that guy” for too many in California.


14 posted on 10/25/2025 6:32:15 PM PDT by Republican Wildcat
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To: SeekAndFind

I hope this is true.


15 posted on 10/25/2025 6:32:50 PM PDT by Parley Baer
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To: Right_Wing_Madman

Trump won a majority in a number of California counties, just not the population dense ones on the coast.


16 posted on 10/25/2025 8:26:39 PM PDT by Wuli (uire)
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To: SeekAndFind

Per usual so don’t be fooled, the Getty family will decide who the next governor of Kalifornia will be.


17 posted on 10/25/2025 8:34:49 PM PDT by drypowder
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To: Republican Wildcat

Was it an used brand new comb? Or a used ratty thing?


18 posted on 10/25/2025 9:20:38 PM PDT by Getready (Wisdom is more valuable than gold and harder to find.)
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To: Right_Wing_Madman

How so?


19 posted on 10/25/2025 10:35:32 PM PDT by nwrep
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To: lee martell

A COMB????
HOW??
HADN’T HEARD THAT STORY


20 posted on 10/26/2025 2:34:30 AM PDT by ridesthemiles (not giving up on TRUMP---EVER)
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