NEW POLL: EMERSON COLLEGE SHOWS SWALWELL LEADING GOVERNOR’S RACE
As Congressman Swalwell Continues to Gain Momentum Ahead of the June 2 Primary, A New Poll Shows Him Leading All Candidates for Governor
LOS ANGELES, CA — A new polling memo from Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics finds Congressman Swalwell is the frontrunner heading into the June 2 primary. Swalwell’s message of driving down costs for working people and fighting Donald Trump continues to resonate with likely voters and increase his support.
Swalwell leads the entire field of gubernatorial candidates:
Eric Swalwell: 17%
Steve Hilton: 13%
Chad Bianco: 11%
Tom Steyer: 11%
Katie Porter: 8%
Xavier Becerra: 3%
Antonio Villaraigosa: 3%
Source: Emerson College Polling, March 7-9, 2026
Swalwell’s support has increased since Emerson College’s February poll. Among registered Democratic voters, Swalwell’s support has increased from 23% to 27% since February.
Among voters who say the next governor should stand up to Trump, 25% support Swalwell, ten points higher than the next candidate.
“With less than 55 days until voters begin casting ballots, Congressman Swalwell is in the best position to make the Top Two in the June 2 primary,” said Micah Beasley, a campaign spokesperson. “Swalwell’s message of tackling the cost-of-living crisis, while fighting President Trump’s overreach continues to grow his support and bring voters into his corner.”
The poll memo can be viewed here.
Emerson College Polling surveyed: 1,000 likely June 2026 Primary voters in California. Interviews were collected via text-to-web and email-to-web methodologies from March 7–9, 2026. The survey was offered in English and has an overall margin of error of ±3.0.
ABOUT CA GOVERNOR’S RACE
A March 2026 poll from the highly respected firm, Emerson College Polling, showed that Swalwell is the frontrunner in the race for governor. He continues to gain support from likely voters in the June 2 primary and leads all Democratic candidates in poll after poll.
Leaders from across California have endorsed Swalwell’s campaign, including U.S. Senator Adam Schiff. California U.S. House Members: Reps. Jimmy Gomez (Campaign Chair), Adam Gray (Campaign Co-Chair), Nanette Barragan, Lou Correa, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Ted Lieu, Zoe Lofgren, Doris Matsui, Kevin Mullin, Jimmy Panetta, Dr. Raul Ruiz and Mike Thompson. Members of the CA Assembly: Asms. Patrick Ahrens, Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, Marc Berman, Tina McKinnor and Nick Schultz. In addition to local elected officials. View the complete list of leaders who have endorsed Swalwell.
Swalwell, who represents California’s 14th Congressional District in the East Bay, has pledged to be a “fighter and protector” for California, focusing on affordability, economic growth and modernizing state government so it works better for everyone. Current Governor Gavin Newsom is termed out in 2026, leaving this an open seat. Congressman Eric Swalwell is the only candidate currently in Congress and the only one actively standing up to Trump. The Primary Election is June 2, 2026.
ABOUT ERIC SWALWELL
Eric Swalwell was raised in Dublin, California, by a police officer father and a small business owner mother. The oldest of four sons, he worked paper routes and construction jobs before earning a Division I soccer scholarship and becoming the first in his family to attend college. After serving as an Alameda County prosecutor — where he led the Hate Crimes Unit — Swalwell was elected to the Dublin City Council, then to Congress in 2012. In the House, he has served on the House Intelligence Committee and currently serves on the House Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees, and is the Ranking Member on both the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection and the Judiciary Select Subcommittee on January 6. He and his wife, Brittany, are raising their three young children under the age of 9.
Website: www.EricSwalwell.com
Twitter / Instagram / Threads: @EricSwalwell
Press Contact: [email protected]
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