In just over a year, California voters will choose Gavin Newsom’s successor. But at this point, just who might emerge to lead the nation’s most populous state remains somewhat unclear.  

Since the Outpost last attempted to read the room six months ago, there have been a number of then-candidates who’ve taken themselves out contention. Most notably, former Vice President Kamala Harris officially announced in late summer that she would not seek the office, leaving the race wide open for hopeful up-and-comers. 

Former congressmember Katie Porter has seemingly been the beneficiary of the opening with recent polling suggesting she is the default Democratic frontrunner of a field low on star power. But this week Porter has made headlines for her treatment of a reporter who was attempting to ask her about California conservatives reaction to Newsom’s redistricting push.

Meanwhile, whispers that California Senator Alex Padilla might be interested in leaving Washington for Sacramento have inspired chatter from pundits.

On the Republican side of the aisle, conservative commentator Steve Hilton has launched his candidacy since our last poll, drawing some of the energy away from fellow candidate Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.

While it’s still conceivable that other candidates could emerge, the window is quickly closing as fundraising becomes increasingly critical in a contest of this scale. Maybe this is it? If so, who’s got your hypothetical vote?

ANOTHER IMPORTANT GUBERNATORIAL RACE POLL WE DID:

• POLL! Mel Gibson vs. Jar of Larrupin Mustard-Dill Sauce: Who Should Be California’s Next Governor? (PLUS! A Lesson on How the Internet Works in 2025!)