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However, 44% of voters still remain undecided.
CALIFORNIA, USA — A new poll shows Democrat Katie Porter has fallen from the top spot in California’s 2026 governor’s race, just weeks after a tense CBS interview that went viral.
The recent UC Berkeley IGS poll shows Porter in second place with 11% support from voters — down from 17% in August. At the time of her CBS interview, Porter had been leading the race.
“A botched interview is a gift that keeps on giving,” said political analyst Steve Swatt. “Katie Porter is trending backwards, and that is not what you want to do when you’re a candidate for governor or anything else.”
Swatt said the viral moment likely contributed to her decline but noted Porter still leads among Democrats. “Her favorable ratings are down,” he said. “The good news for her, if there is some, is that those major unions and other organizations that have backed her are staying with her.”
With Porter dropping in the polls, Riverside County Sheriff and Republican Chad Bianco has moved into first place with 13% support, up from 10% in August. Swatt said the shift reflects gradual Republican gains in California.
“Trump still lost with only 41% of the vote,” Swatt said. “Kamala Harris got 59% of the vote, but Joe Biden four years earlier had 63%. So there was some movement there. I think this really is all about Katie Porter, and that interview she gave is still resonating.”
Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra are tied for third with 8% support. Antonio Villaraigosa follows with 5%, while other candidates earned 3% or less. Swatt said the field could still expand before the 2026 election. “I’m not convinced that the field is completely set yet for this governor’s race,” he said.
A campaign spokesperson for Porter declined to comment on the latest poll results but provided ABC10 with this statement:
“Poll after poll continues to show Katie as the strongest Democrat in the race, driven by a growing coalition of grassroots supporters—not powerful special interests. Californians know her record of taking on Donald Trump and trust her to tackle our cost crisis, from skyrocketing rent and housing costs to rising health care premiums and unaffordable child care.”
Sheriff Bianco told ABC10 in a statement, “Californians are craving real leadership after eight years of Newsom’s posturing and primping while so many are suffering. A new way forward begins in November 2026 when I am elected Governor.”
WATCH MORE ON ABC10 | Experts weigh how Katie Porter can recover as rivals eye political opening
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