Hilton Narrowly Leads CA Governor Race

0:00On April 2, 8, Republican Steve Hilton, former Fox News host and advisor to a British Prime Minister, holds a slim lead in California's wide open race. For Governor, a fresh CBS news poll puts him at 16 percent among likely primary voters just ahead of Democrat Tom Steyer's 15 percent. This tight matchup highlights how unsettled things are before the June 2nd primary. Other big names trail close. Democrat Xavier Basera at 13 percent and Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco at 10 percent. But 26 percent of voters are still on the fence, showing no clear frontrunner in this packed field replacing term-limited Governor Gavin. Newsom. Democrats worry their split support could backfire under the top two primary system, where the two highest vote getters advanced to November no matter. Their party. That fear grew after former Congressman Eric Swalwell dropped out amid misconduct claims, leaving no unified dem leader. Voters say it candidates values matter most to 77 percent, with experience key for 56 percent.

1:06Partisans are dug in too, 71 percent of Democrats back Newsom style policies, while 90 percent of Republicans won change. A CBS debate hits Tuesday at 5.30 p.m. Pacific, a prime shop for contenders to sway those undecideds as the poll from late April wraps with a plus or minus 4.2 percent margin of air. U.S. News today, powered by AI bringing you what matters nationwide.