Republican Steve Hilton is leading among likely voters for California’s crowded governor race, and Democrat Tom Steyer is close behind, according to a new poll.
If voters had to choose a gubernatorial candidate for June’s primary today, 20% said they would cast a ballot for Hilton, while 18% said they would vote for Steyer, a SurveyUSA poll sponsored by KGTV-TV and the San Diego Union-Tribune released Monday, May 4, shows.
“Continuing to lead in the polls,” Hilton said in an Instagram post in reference to the poll’s results. “It’s time to give Californians the change they have been waiting for! Let’s take our state back!”
In an Instagram post, Steyer highlighted the new polling figures, saying: “Big Oil and PG&E are spending millions against us — and only us — because we’re the only campaign focused on lowering costs for Californians, not protecting corporate profits.”
“Californians want change, not more of the same,” Steyer said.
Meanwhile, Republican Chad Bianco captures 12% of voters, and Democrat Xavier Becerra is close behind with 10%.
Democrats Katie Porter and Matt Mahan follow, holding 8% and 7% of likely voters, respectively. Democratic candidate Antonio Villaraigosa is polling at 5%, while Democrat Tony Thurmond is at 2%. Seventeen percent of voters remain undecided.
Among Republican voters, Hilton leads with 46%, while Bianco holds 25%. Steyer leads with Democratic voters (30%), and Becerra follows with 17%.
The results of the SurveyUSA poll differ from those of an EVITARUS tracking poll released the same day and conducted during a similar time frame.
The EVITARUS poll, commissioned by the California Democratic Party, found Hilton and Becerra tied among likely voters, each holding 18%. Bianco followed with 14%, then Steyer with 12%. The other Democratic candidates’ figures were fairly similar in the two polls.
The SurveyUSA poll, with a sample size of 1,213, including 991 likely voters, was conducted between Wednesday, April 28, and Friday, May 1. As of January 2026, Silver Bulletin rated SurveyUSA with an “A” based on the pollster’s historical accuracy and methodology.
How does poll compare to three weeks earlier?
Three weeks ago, SurveyUSA released a similar poll, which was conducted just as sexual assault allegations against Eric Swalwell surfaced.
Compared to the earlier poll, Steyer and Hilton still hold the top two positions; however, Steyer lost 3 percentage points, dropping him from the top to second, while Hilton rose to the top with a 2-percentage-point increase.
Bianco gained 4 percentage points compared to three weeks earlier, and Becerra gained 6 percentage points.
“If Becerra continues to climb and Steyer continues to fall, it is possible that Becerra and Hilton both advance to the general election – but it also remains possible that Bianco and Hilton both advance, pitting the two Republicans against each other in the November election,” pollsters said.
The remaining Democratic candidates’ figures remained relatively similar from three weeks earlier
What else did SurveyUSA poll find?
When voters were asked whether they would have time to vote in the upcoming June primary, 82% said they would probably or definitely vote.
A majority of voters (58%) believe there are too many candidates vying for the governor’s seat.
Voters identified cost of living (41%), homelessness (13%), and housing (9%) as the biggest issues facing the Golden State.
While most Californians (54%) say the next governor should stand up to President Donald Trump, a sizable minority (40%) favors working more cooperatively with him. Voters broadly agree the governor should collaborate with the Legislature and the tech industry.
Most voters (53%) said the next governor should protect immigrants.
Fifty-seven percent also think the governor should fight climate change, while 31% think the governor should loosen climate regulations on businesses.
While 49% say the governor should cut government services to prevent tax increases, 34% believe the opposite.
Who’s running 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.
The top gubernatorial candidates include:
Other notable Democratic candidates include Matt Mahan, Antonio Villaraigosa, and Tony Thurmond. An additional 51 candidates are also running for governor. A list of candidates and their titles can be found here.
Key dates for June primary
Some key dates for the June primary include:
When is the governor’s race?
Voters will choose the Golden State’s next governor during California’s general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: New California governor poll shows volatile race before June primary
Reporting by Daniella Segura, USA TODAY NETWORK / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
