New Civic Lens polling shows two Republicans atop California’s crowded 2026 governor race, raising the prospect of a GOP lockout under the state’s top-two primary. Former Fox host Steve Hilton leads at about 18 percent, with Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco roughly at 14 percent; Democrat Eric Swalwell and former Rep. Katie Porter trail in the low teens or single digits, and Tom Steyer polls under 10 percent. The survey of 400 likely primary voters was conducted Dec. 14–16 and found roughly 31 percent undecided, prompting caution about how volatile the field remains, and experts warn results could shift quickly. (newsweek.com)