Republicans moving up in race for California...

[left-of-center2012]

With 40 days to go until the June 5 primary, two Republican candidates for governor are fighting for second place, and a little-known GOP candidate could also make waves in the campaign for U.S. Senate, according to a new poll.

The poll, released Thursday by the UC Berkeley Institute for Governmental Studies, found Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, continuing to lead the field for governor with 30 percent among likely voters, followed by Republicans John Cox, a San Diego County businessman, at 18 percent, and Travis Allen, an Orange County state assemblyman, at 16 percent.

That’s a change from previous results, which had Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, a Democrat, in second or third place. Villaraigosa dropped to 9 percent in the IGS poll, from 17 percent in the survey conducted by the group in December. He was followed by Democrats John Chiang, the state treasurer, at 7 percent, and Delaine Eastin, the former state schools chief, at 4 percent.

Only 13 percent of likely voters surveyed said they were undecided ...

https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/04/26/california-governor-poll-newsom-villaraigosa-cox-allen/

[AJT]

1. How incredibly depressing.....thanks California.

[wasupaloopa]

4. Gavin Newsom will be our next governor. How undepressing.

Thanks CA.

[peggysue2]

7. Yes.

And a very fine, very progressive Governor he will be!

[JI7]

8. Gavin newsom will easily win against the republicans. The bigger problem

Could be if democratic voters are spread among too many candidates.

While republ8cans concentrate among one or two.

For example if newsom lost another 15 points to other Democrats with none getting more than what both republicans have.

So results in both republicans being in the runoff even if their total was WAYYY less than democratic votes combined.

But this poll looks good for Democrats so far.

[Laffy Kat]

2. It is just so beyond me how anyone can vote repug. on anything, anywhere.

Dems should be running away with CA, I mean more than they already are.

[still_one]

3. There are 27 fricking people running for governor. It is insane. I am voting Newsom all the way.

Some want to play strategic games by voting for Villaraigosa thinking it will shut out republicans, but if too many people do that it very well could have unintended consequences

Open primaries, are f**ked

[RandySF]

5. Old poll. Article is dated April 26

Republicans coalesced for a time around Cox but they’re freaking out that they may be shut out.

[left-of-center2012]

10. Old poll.

If you have a more recent poll
please post it.

[wonkwest]

6. It'll be Newsom in a walk. Villaraigosa made a totally bizarre choice that I think killed him

I'm not sure about anyone else's take, but in the past few weeks, I've seen Villaraigosa running ads about how various police departments just adore him.

Yeah. When you're vying for liberal Democratic votes in places like LA, SF, and Oakland, maybe not remind people - especially not a base full of people of color - about how much the police love you.

Not really the best moment for that in our politics. But that's just my take.

[JI7]

9. There were attack ads against Kamala Harris were once that NO law enforcement org

Supported her.

I remember many saying they viewed that as a positive and voted for her.

The pro cop thing mostly works in largely white areas.

[wonkwest]

11. Yep. In this state, that's a *good* thing, especially for an AG.

And especially one running in a Democratic primary. It made everyone like her more. I certainly put it as a plus in her column at the time.

I have no issues with Newson. There's quite a bit to recommend him, so I think we'll be pretty happy with how the governor's race will turn out. I just don't see Republicans winning anything statewide in this climate.

I do, however, worry about the jungle primary's effect in places downstate, like Orange County. The trick is, if we could get two Democrats running in the general for governor and senate, it could depress Republican turnout and make us more competitive in those races in the fall. So it's vital we get at least one Democrat on those ballots.

Seems like the national party has been looking very carefully at that and gauging ad buys accordingly.

[Raine]

12. I'm voting for Villaragosa

to get him into one of the two top spots, anyway I like him so giving him my vote I will be happy to do.