What's happened
A new poll shows Steve Hilton leading California's governor race with 17%, while Democratic candidates face turmoil. The race remains unpredictable with 23% undecided. Incumbent Gavin Newsom has not endorsed any candidate as the field becomes more crowded and controversies unfold. The race's outcome will shape California politics.
What's behind the headline?
The California governor race is entering a critical phase as scandals and candidate shifts reshape the field. Steve Hilton's lead reflects a broader trend of outsider and controversial candidates gaining ground. The Democratic side faces internal divisions, with prominent figures like Katie Porter and Xavier Becerra struggling to consolidate support. Newsom's silence and reluctance to endorse suggest he is prioritizing his presidential ambitions over the state race. The large undecided voter share indicates that the race will likely be decided in the coming weeks, with the top-two primary system increasing the importance of strategic positioning. The race's outcome will significantly influence California's political landscape, especially if a Republican candidate advances to the general election, which could challenge the state's traditionally Democratic dominance.
What the papers say
The New York Post reports that Steve Hilton is leading with 17%, followed by Chad Bianco and Tom Steyer at 14%. It highlights the shifting dynamics, including Swalwell's campaign collapse and Newsom's strategic silence. The NY Post emphasizes the uncertainty with 23% of voters still undecided. The New York Times provides context on the broader political turmoil, noting the absence of major Democratic frontrunners like Harris and Padilla, and the impact of scandals on the race. Both sources agree that the race is highly unpredictable, with internal party tensions and external scandals driving the volatility. CNN reports that Newsom is avoiding engagement in the race, focusing instead on his national ambitions, and criticizes the Democratic candidates for their internal conflicts and policy positions. The contrasting opinions underscore the race's complexity, with some viewing Hilton's surge as a sign of outsider influence and others warning of the risks posed by the chaos within the Democratic camp.
How we got here
The California governor race has become more volatile following the collapse of Eric Swalwell's campaign amid sexual misconduct allegations. High-profile Democrats like Kamala Harris and Alex Padilla have opted not to run, leaving the field open. Republican Steve Hilton and billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer are leading recent polls, with the race now highly unpredictable. Incumbent Gavin Newsom has stayed on the sidelines, avoiding endorsements and focusing on his current term amid internal party debates and external pressures.
Go deeper
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Eric Michael Swalwell is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for California's 15th congressional district since 2013.
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Katherine Moore Porter is an American law professor, attorney and politician serving as the U.S. Representative for California's 45th congressional district since 2019.
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Gavin Christopher Newsom is an American politician and businessman who is the 40th governor of California, serving since January 2019.
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Thomas Fahr Steyer is an American hedge fund manager, philanthropist, environmentalist, liberal activist, and fundraiser. Steyer is the founder and former co-senior-managing-partner of Farallon Capital and the co-founder of Onecalifornia Bank, which becam
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Chad Bianco (born October 9, 1967) is an American law enforcement officer, who has served as sheriff of Riverside County, California, since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, Bianco has been affiliated with the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Offic
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Steve Hilton is a former British political adviser, and now a political commentator on U.S. issues and strong supporter of Donald Trump.