California Governor Race Shifts Before June 2 Primary as Swalwell Exit and Trump Endorsement Reorder Polls
Updated
Updated · Desert Sun · May 27
California Governor Race Shifts Before June 2 Primary as Swalwell Exit and Trump Endorsement Reorder Polls
5 articles · Updated · Desert Sun · May 27
Less than a week before California’s June 2 primary, the governor’s race remains volatile after Eric Swalwell quit and Donald Trump endorsed Republican Steve Hilton, reshaping a crowded field with 59 candidates.
Polls initially showed Republicans Hilton and Chad Bianco leading and raised fears Democrats could be shut out under California’s top-two primary, but Xavier Becerra surged after Swalwell’s withdrawal and Tom Steyer also gained.
Swalwell left the race days after sexual assault allegations surfaced and later said he would resign from Congress, while former state controller Betty Yee also dropped out after weak polling and endorsed Steyer.
Steyer has amplified the shakeup with record self-funding—$212 million contributed and more than $195 million spent on advertising—making his campaign the country’s most expensive this year.
Cost of living remains the dominant campaign issue, with candidates split over whether California’s affordability crisis stems from Democratic governance or broader structural problems as voting is already underway.
In a crowded field with low voter enthusiasm, what could ultimately decide which two candidates advance to the general election?
With record self-funding in the race, does personal wealth help or hinder a candidate's connection with voters concerned about affordability?
How might the recent Supreme Court ruling on ballot seizure influence voter confidence in the election process before the primary?
California 2026 Governor Primary: Hilton Leads, Steyer Stalls, and Democrats Scramble After Swalwell Scandal
Overview
As California's June 2, 2026, gubernatorial primary nears, the race is shaped by new polling and shifting voter sentiment. The latest PPIC poll shows Steve Hilton leading Tom Steyer by 5 points, even as Steyer invests over $213 million of his own money and continues heavy advertising. Despite this, Steyer's support has plateaued in the mid-teens, with little change since he entered the race. Meanwhile, Democrats maintain a strong nearly 2-to-1 registration advantage over Republicans, suggesting that while the primary is competitive, the general election will likely favor a Democratic candidate.