Polls Show Tight 2026 California Governor Race Led by Villaraigosa
Source: nytimes.com
- Early polls for California's 2026 governor race show former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa leading with about 33% support among likely voters.
- Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Katie Porter trail closely at 18% and 17%, respectively, in a crowded field of over a dozen candidates.
- The race remains wide open with no candidate above 40%, signaling a competitive primary that could reshape state leadership.
This interactive New York Times page tracks the latest polls for the 2026 California gubernatorial election, featuring data from multiple surveys of likely voters. Key players include Democratic frontrunner Antonio Villaraigosa, Republican tech figure Steve Hilton, Democratic Rep. Katie Porter, and others like Xavier Becerra and Tony Thurmond. The core finding is a fragmented field where no one dominates, reflecting California's diverse electorate and the open seat left by term-limited Gov. Gavi