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OAN Staff Nathaniel Mannor
12:42 PM – Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Republican Steve Hilton is leading the field to become California’s next governor.
According to an Emerson College poll released on Wednesday, Hilton is leading the race in the Golden State with 17% support in the state’s jungle primary.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and Representative Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) are tied for second with 14% each. Former Representative Katie Porter (D-Calif.) is at 10%, while billionaire Tom Steyer trails by one point.
Recent polling has consistently showed Hilton and Bianco as top contenders.
“The Republican electorate in California is split between Steve Hilton (38%) and Chad Bianco (37%), while Hilton also picks up a plurality of independent voter support at 22%,” said Spencer Kimball, the executive director of Emerson College Polling.
If two Republicans were to finish in the top two spots, California would elect a Republican governor for the first time since 2006 when Arnold Schwarzenegger won reelection.
The gubernatorial primary is scheduled to take place on June 2nd. The two top candidates, regardless of party, will advance to the November 5th election.
Current California Governor Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) is ineligible to run again due to term limits.
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