After months of hand wringing by state GOP officials that Republicans could be shut out of the November races for governor and U.S. Senate, a new poll gives hope of avoiding that electoral calamity.
A UC Berkeley Institute of Government Studies (Berkeley IGS) survey found that Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom is strengthening his grip on first place with support from 30 percent of likely voters, while two Republicans, businessman John Cox and Orange County Assemblyman Travis Allen are second and third with 18 and 16 percent support respectively.
Slipping into fourth place is former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who clocks in with just 9 percent, followed by state Treasurer John Chiang at 7 percent and former state schools chief Delaine Eastin at 4 percent. Just 13 percent of likely voters say they are undecided.
"There is a theory that without a Republican in one of the top two spots, GOP turnout will be depressed in November." said California Republican Party Chairman Jim Brulte. "That said, we’ve never had an experience like that since the jungle primary (top-two primary) has been in effect."
But Brulte added, "I do think you can make a case that not having a Republican there is unhelpful."