A Democratic gubernatorial candidate has taken a slight lead among likely voters for California’s June primary, according to a new poll.
Congressman Eric Swalwell is leading the primary race with 17% of likely voters, according to an Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics poll released Wednesday, March 11.
Republican Steve Hilton follows Swalwell with 13% of likely voters, the poll shows.
Tom Steyer (D) and Chad Bianco (R) are tied at 11% among likely voters, and Katie Porter (D) follows with 8%, according to the survey, which also shows that a quarter of likely voters remain undecided.
“Rep. Swalwell’s support increased among Democratic voters in the past month from 23% to 27%, along with Tom Steyer, whose support among this group also increased from 12% to 16%,” Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, said in a news release.
Kimball went on to note a plurality of independent voters is undecided (39%), “while 12% support Swalwell and Hilton respectively, and Republicans are split between Hilton (38%) and Bianco (34%).”
The poll, which was conducted between March 7 and 9, sampled 1,000 likely California voters, had a credibility interval of 3 percentage points.
The new poll points to a slight reshuffling of candidates, as in late February, a Public Policy Institute of California poll showed five candidates — Hilton, Porter, Bianco, Swalwell, and Steyer — in a “virtual tie” to replace termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Who are the candidates for California governor’s office?
Ten candidates, eight Democrats and two Republicans, have filed paperwork for the June 2 Primary ballot, according to reporting from CalMatters.
Those candidates are, according to CalMatters:
A wide field of Democratic candidates for California governor
In California, there is a top-two primary system in which all candidates are listed on the same ballot. The top-two vote-getters move on to the general election, regardless of their party affiliation, meaning there is the potential for two candidates from the same party to face off in the general election.
As “concerns around the impact of a crowded candidate field persist,” California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks last week urged candidates to “honestly assess the viability of their candidacy and campaign.”
“We all have a duty to act in a responsible manner with the opportunities and support we have earned,” Hicks wrote in an open letter on Tuesday, March 3. “I believe it starts with a candid assessment of the political landscape around you, an honest reflection on your viability to win the race, and the courage to make a tough choice.”
After a majority of Democratic candidates ignored party leaders’ request, the party announced its plans to “spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on polling to assess the viability” of the candidates, The Los Angeles Times reported.
“Candidates have filed, and now they’ve got the opportunity to showcase their viability, their path to win. I want to simply ensure that everybody has information to fully understand the current state of the race,” Hicks told The Times.
How do voters see governor and president?
The Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics poll shows 45% of voters approve of Newsom’s job performance, one point up from February, “while 40% disapprove of the job he is doing.”
President Donald Trump holds a poor job approval rating among California voters, with 64% disapproving and 28% approving, according to the poll.
More voters, 52%, believe California is on the wrong track, while 48% of voters think the Golden State is headed in the right direction, according to the poll’s findings.
A majority of voters, 64%, would like the next governor “to stand up to the Trump administration, while 36% would rather they work with the Trump administration.”
Where do voters stand on the issues?
The economy continues to be at the forefront of California voters’ minds, with 37% of identifying it as the most important issue facing the state, according to the Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics poll.
The issue of housing affordability ranks second at 22%, followed by threats to democracy at 11%, the poll shows. Immigration and healthcare follow, with 8% and 7%, respectively.
When asked if homelessness is getting worse in the state, a majority of California voters (53%) agreed.
What’s next for June primary?
The California Secretary of State’s Office is now verifying the candidates’ campaign paperwork. A certified list will be posted on March 26.
When is the June primary — and how do Californians register to vote?
California’s primary election will be held on June 2. The last day to register to vote for the primary is May 18.
Californians can register online or by mail.
“You can also pick up an application at your county elections office, any Department of Motor Vehicles office, and many post offices, public libraries, and government offices,” according to the state’s website. “To have a paper application mailed to you, call your county elections office or the Secretary of State’s toll-free voter hotline at (800) 345-VOTE.”
Those who are registered to vote will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the June primary election, which can be returned via mail, drop box, or in person at a dedicated voting center.
County elections offices will begin mailing ballots on May 4, and ballot drop-off locations will open the following day.
You can track the status of your ballot using the state’s WheresMyBallot tracking tool.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Candidate takes slight lead in California’s governor race, poll finds
Reporting by Daniella Segura, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
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