Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Republicans Lead in California Governor Race Post Swalwell Exit
KSBW ^ | Apr 17, 2026 | Ricardo Tovar

Posted on 04/17/2026 8:24:07 PM PDT by nickcarraway

The California governor's race is heating up, with Emerson College polls showing two Republicans leading after Eric Swalwell's departure.

Steve Hilton leads with 17%, followed by Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco at 14%. Democratic billionaire Tom Steyer is tied with Bianco at 14%.

Trailing Democrats include former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and former Representative Katie Porter both tied at 10%. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan follows with 5%.

The poll also found that 23% of likely voters said they are still undecided, meaning the race remains wide open.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: California
KEYWORDS: california; chadbianco; demagogicparty; emersoncollege; ericswalwell; gavinnewsom; karenbass; katieporter; ksbw; mattmahan; ricardotovar; riversidecounty; sanjose; stevehilton; tomsteyer; xavierbecerra
Message from Jim Robinson:

Dear FRiends,

We need your continuing support to keep FR funded. Your donations are our sole source of funding. No sugar daddies, no advertisers, no paid memberships, no commercial sales, no gimmicks, no tax subsidies. No spam, no pop-ups, no ad trackers.

If you enjoy using FR and agree it's a worthwhile endeavor, please consider making a contribution today:

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,

Jim

This is better than the poll yesterday had Steyer in the lead with 21%.



Steve Hilton 17%
Chad Biano 14%
Tom Steyer 14%
Xavier Becerra 10%
Katie Porter 10%
Matt Mahan 5%



How can 10% of people say they are voting for Katie Porter?

1 posted on 04/17/2026 8:24:07 PM PDT by nickcarraway
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

“ How can 10% of people say they are voting for Katie Porter?”

Because at least 10% of Commiefornians are morons!


2 posted on 04/17/2026 8:29:45 PM PDT by TonyM (Score Event)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

I’m for Hilton, but the race between the top two Republicans is getting acrimonious.


3 posted on 04/17/2026 8:31:14 PM PDT by Fiji Hill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

Because this state has PLENTY of morons in it thats how anyone can vote for Katie Porter who is certifiable. Steyer is just plain evil, wants to get rid of all private health insurance, wants single payer, but NOT for himself hes too special. Swalwell’s name will be on the ballot though because its too late for his name to be removed


4 posted on 04/17/2026 8:31:44 PM PDT by Sarah Barracuda
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TonyM

Just ten percent? Are you sure?


5 posted on 04/17/2026 8:45:46 PM PDT by Fungi
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

Sounds like the Dems need to come up with another set of accusations to ‘thin the field’.


6 posted on 04/17/2026 9:18:32 PM PDT by BobL (Trusting one's doctor is the #1 health mistake one can make.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

In Kalifornia, especially in Kalifornia, it is not who votes that counts. What matters is WHO counts the votes.

The top two vote getters, REGARDLESS OF POLITICAL PARTY, in the “primary” will run against each other for the Governorship.

The Kalifornia democRATS will make darn sure that there is at least one democRAT in the top two. Then, in the November election, Shazam! A little more “creative ballot counting.”

Every ballot in Kalifornia is by mail. There is early voting. In every small precinct there are dozens of “ballot drop boxes.” We call them “ballot stuffing boxes.”

If needed, they keep “counting” ballots for weeks after the election.

Finally, let’s say that they allowed a RINO to become Governor. Even if the RINO wanted to a accomplish something, the democRAT machine will chew him up and spit him out.

Anyone trying to get between the democRATS and the Kalifornia $$$$ spigot had better think twice.


7 posted on 04/17/2026 9:24:42 PM PDT by Ronaldus Magnus III (Do, or do not, there is no try. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

Get Swalwell back in here! Turn those machines back on!

Joy Reid blasts California Dems for letting GOP contenders take lead in governor’s race

https://www.foxnews.com/media/joy-reid-blasts-ca-dems-letting-gop-contenders-take-lead-governors-race


8 posted on 04/17/2026 9:39:16 PM PDT by Libloather (Why do climate change hoax deniers live in mansions on the beach?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Newsom PAC bought thousands of memoir copies about his hardships, juicing sales

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/newsom-pac-bought-thousands-memoir-copies-about-his-hardships-juicing-sales


9 posted on 04/17/2026 9:41:23 PM PDT by Libloather (Why do climate change hoax deniers live in mansions on the beach?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Ronaldus Magnus III

Just curious. Why do you spell California with a K? It doesn’t accomplish anything except possibly showing your contempt for the state. But there are other ways to do that without using the bizarre formulation of changing the spelling to use a K.


10 posted on 04/17/2026 10:07:46 PM PDT by Avalon Memories (It seems to be a law of nature...that those who will not risk cannot win. --John Paul Jones)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

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

11 posted on 04/17/2026 10:26:39 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (TDS -- it's not just for DNC shills anymore -- oh, wait, yeah it is.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Avalon Memories
Why do you spell California with a K? It doesn’t accomplish anything except possibly showing your contempt for the state

There is no problem with showing contempt for Kalifornia. Showing contempt for Kalifornia is much better than any admiration for the state. -+++++++
12 posted on 04/17/2026 10:45:00 PM PDT by Right_Wing_Madman (2+-``3)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

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
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

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