With less than four months remaining before California’s June 2 primary elections, the race to lead the nation’s most populous state remains remarkably wide open. In fact, this is the first time in more than 25 years that there has been no clear front-runner for Governor at this stage of the primary. Even the limited polling data available underscores the uncertainty surrounding voters’ preferences and the absence of a dominant candidate.
An Emerson College poll conducted on December 1 shows Republicans Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton leading the field with 13% and 12% support, respectively. On the Democratic side, Eric Swalwell and Katie Porter follow closely with 12% and 11%, while Antonio Villaraigosa trails at 5%. It is likely that Republicans are polling higher than usual at this point in the cycle due to the large number of Democratic candidates in the race, which may be diluting Democratic support across multiple contenders. Perhaps the most telling result from this poll is the substantial share of undecided voters- 31%, highlighting the lack of a clear standout and reinforcing just how fluid and unsettled this contest remains.
The race for Governor continues its fluidity with San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan announcing his candidacy for Governor. Notably, Mahan has been a sharp critic of Newsom, particularly on his handling of the homelessness and housing issue. In his home city, he increased homeless shelter capacity and helped an additional 1,500 people secure housing from 2023 to 2025. The San Jose Mayor has deep ties to tech and business leaders, given his business minded approach to Governing. Quick to show support for Mahan’s campaign was billionaire and venture capitalist Rick Caruso, who finally made clear he does not plan to run for either California Governor or Los Angeles Mayor. Caruso has indicated wanting to serve in other ways.
As the election approaches, CCAH’s Political Action Committee will be making endorsements and recommendations for this race and many others across the state. Be on the lookout for our CCAH Voter Guide, which will be released ahead of the June primaries and will provide insight into the candidates and issues most important to our members. Check out our current endorsement announcements for State Treasurer, State Controller, Lieutenant Governor and Assembly District 78 in San Diego. Many more to come!
Meanwhile, the second year of the 2025–2026 legislative session is officially underway, and bills are moving quickly through the Capitol. CCAH is actively engaging with legislators, state agencies, and constitutional officers to advance policies that support the production and preservation of affordable housing throughout California. This year, CCAH-sponsored legislation will focus on addressing the new EV charger readiness mandate stemming from the 2026 building code update, as well as improving and streamlining the property tax welfare exemption process.
Your CCAH advocacy team will continue to keep you informed on developments related to our legislative priorities, including key milestones and opportunities for your company or organization to show support for these important measures.