This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
LOS ANGELES – A new statewide survey shows 33-year-old businessman Leo Zacky leading among California voters aged 18-44, with 31% selecting the Republican candidate as their top choice for governor in 2026.
Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra came in second at 24%, former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter at 15% and California State Controller Betty Yee at 7% – all three of them Democrats.
Other notable candidates included political commentator Steve Hilton, a Republican, at 3%, former Mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa, a Democrat, at 2%, and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and Korean-American evangelical pastor Ché Ahn, both Republicans, at 1% each.
"Young voters are gravitating toward leaders who offer real-world experience and who unapologetically challenge traditional political norms and corruption," said Zacky campaign manager Ronnie Kroell. "Across the political spectrum, young voters want to see generational change – and recent elections in New York and Seattle, along with this poll, are clear indicators of that trend."
The 2026 California gubernatorial election will take place on Nov. 3, 2026. Many people believe the state's current governor, Gavin Newsom – who cannot run for a third 4-year term since the state's Constitution limits governors to two terms – has all but destroyed the state of California. Ironically, Newsom is considered the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination for U.S. president in 2028.
Thus, both the Democratic and Republican sides have many candidates. The most recent Democrat to announce his candidacy is disgraced U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell.
Zacky previously served as vice president of Zacky Farms and as a leader within the California Poultry Federation.
"My family business, Zacky Farms," Zacky noted recently, "was at one point the largest private employer in California and the largest poultry company on the West Coast. After nearly 100 years in business, the company was forced to close in 2018, due to suffocating regulations imposed by Sacramento and worsening economic conditions."
Describing his campaign strategy, Zacky said: "On the campaign trail, I share with voters each day the lessons I learned helping to run my family business, and what the state can do to improve on issues ranging from taxes, minimum wage, water management, homelessness, illegal immigration and much more.
"I love California and I want to make it better. To do that, those of us who offer solutions different from the leftist ruling elites and Democratic super-majority in this state have to talk to and persuade as many voters as possible, including those who might disagree."
He added: "In the aftermath of Charlie Kirk's death, I vow to keep talking. It is the best way to combat violence as the tragic, destructive and criminal recourse it is for settling our political differences."
The survey was commissioned by the Zacky campaign and conducted in association with the Symphony Technology Group.
