General Discussion

Democrat Tom Steyer finishes first with 21% of the vote, and leads among most demographic subgroups, including among voters aged 35 to 49, and across most of the state. Steyer is at 22% among those interviewed before the Swalwell news broke wildly, at 17% among those interviewed afterwards.

Republican Steve Hilton takes 18% overall, and leads among younger voters, ties Steyer among seniors, and leads among white voters, parents, Republicans, conservatives, Trump voters, those with high school educations, those with the highest household incomes, and in rural areas and the Inland Empire.

Democrats Eric Swalwell and Katie Porter, as well as Republican Chad Bianco, are all effectively tied for 3rd place, with Swalwell nominally ahead at 9%, Porter and Bianco at 8%.

Swalwell is strongest, at 19%, among those who say they are somewhat liberal – where he and Steyer are tied. Swalwell's support is a nominal single point higher among those interviewed after the news broke, 10% vs. 9%.

Porter is strongest, at 17%, among voters of Asian and other descent – where she and Steyer are tied. Porter also polled one point higher after the Swalwell news broke, 9% vs. 8%.

Bianco is strongest, at 24%, among Republicans – where Hilton takes 47%. Bianco declines 1 point, from 8% to 7%, after the Swalwell news.

Five other Democrats are further back:

Antonio Villaraigosa at 5% (5% for those interviewed before the Swalwell news, 2% for those interviewed after it).
Xavier Becerra at 4% (but up 3 points, to 7%, among those interviewed after the Swalwell news).
Betty Yee at 4% (4% before, 2% after Swalwell story breaks)
Matt Mahan at 4% (4% before, 5% after)
Tony Thurmond at 1% (0% before, 2% after).

18% of likely voters tell SurveyUSA they are undecided – including 17% of those who responded to the survey before the Swalwell news broke wildly and 21% of those who responded after the news broke.