Capitol Alert

Could California voters be warming to the idea of a Republican governor in 2026?

California news

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POLL SHOWS PRO-REPUBLICAN SENTIMENT BREWING

A new poll of 700 likely California voters shows growing dissatisfaction with the Democratic party and its leadership.

The poll was conducted earlier this month via text by David Wolfson, a national pollster and lecturer at Columbia University.

Top findings from the poll:

  • 48% of likely California voters say they are now considering voting for a Republican for governor in 2026.

  • 71% believe the governor and legislative leaders have not addressed California’s high cost of living.

  • 60% oppose free health care for undocumented immigrants.

  • 73% support fully funding anti-crime Proposition 36.

The poll was sponsored by Madison McQueen, a Los Angeles-based media firm that, among other things, creates ads for Republican campaigns.

Rusty Hicks, chair of the California Democratic Party, shot down the results.

“Over the next 18 months, California Democrats will connect with nearly 20 million voters and elect a Democrat as California’s next governor. Again,” he said in a statement.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Hospitals and providers are struggling to keep their doors open, patients can’t get in to see a doctor and the state needs billions more just to keep the program running.” - Assemblymember James Gallagher, R-Chico, as he called for a federal audit of California’s Medi-Cal program

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  • Software company lost out on big California payroll project. Now it’s suing the state, via William Melhado

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Kate Wolffe
The Sacramento Bee
Kate Wolffe covers the California Legislature for The Sacramento Bee. Previously, she reported on health care for Capital Public Radio in Sacramento and daily news for KQED-FM in San Francisco. She is a graduate of UC Berkeley.
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