Walters: No clear frontrunner for governor, but new poll names five with the best shot

"PPIC began polling on Feb. 3, just five days after the final Democratic candidate, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, joined the field, so he was relegated to the bottom tier even though he is expected to become a major contender, with lavish financial backing from Silicon Valley's tech tycoons."

"Moreover, two of the five double-digit candidates are Republicans—former television commentator Steve Hilton, who tops the field at 14%, and Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco (12%)—even though it's virtually impossible for a Republican to win the governorship in a face-to-face duel with a Democrat, given the party's very weak voter registration."

"It does, however, fuel worries among some Democratic leaders that if all nine Democrats continue in the race, they could fragment their party's vote so much that Hilton and Bianco could finish one-two in June, giving the state a GOP governor. It's a remote possibility, but it's at least theoretically possible."

California's 2024 gubernatorial race features nine Democrats and two Republicans, with the Public Policy Institute of California poll revealing five candidates in double digits (10-14%) and six in single digits. Former congressional member Katie Porter leads Democrats at 13%, while Republicans Steve Hilton (14%) and Chad Bianco (12%) surprisingly rank highest overall. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, expected to be a major contender with Silicon Valley backing, polled low due to late entry timing. Democratic leaders worry that vote fragmentation among nine candidates could allow Republicans to finish one-two in the June primary, though a Republican winning the general election remains unlikely given weak GOP voter registration in California.

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