Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff and Katie Porter are still battling for the lead in the California Senate race, but the largest bloc of voters remains united in their opinion: They’re undecided who to vote for, according to Emerson College Polling/Nexstar Media California poll released Friday as the California Democratic Party convention delegates meet in Sacramento.
Schiff, of Burbank, leads with 16%, followed by Porter, of Irvine, with 13%. Retired Los Angeles Dodger Steve Garvey, a Republican, follows with 10%, followed by Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee, of Oakland with 9%. Republican businessman James P. Bradley of Laguna Niguel received 3%, former Los Angeles TV reporter Christina Pascucci and Los Angeles attorney Eric Early both got 2%.
The survey found that 39% of the respondents were undecided.
Democratic convention delegates are scheduled to vote Saturday to endorse one of the candidates, but it is highly unlikely, given the size of the field, that any of them will secure the 60% of the vote needed to snag the party’s nod for the March 5 primary.
The survey is consistent with others that have been taken over the course of the campaign to replace Sen. Laphonza Butler, who Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed to serve the rest of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s term. Butler will not seek a full six-year term.
The poll also asked respondents to assign a letter grade to Newsom for his handling of some of the state’s toughest issues — crime, homelessness and the cost of living.
Newsom may have become a national voice for Democrats, but a plurality of California voters are giving him failing grades on his day job as governor. (Because of rounding, some totals are more than 100%).
On crime, 32% of respondents gave Newsom an “F.” Another 13% gave him a “D” and 22% each gave him a “C” and a “B.” Only 12% awarded him an “A.”
On homelessness, 33% gave Newsom an “F” on the homeless crisis, while 14% gave the governor a “D.” 25% a “C,” 15% a “B,” and 13% grade his handling as an “A.”
On how he’s handling the cost of living, 41% gave Newsom an “F,” 16% a “D,” 21% a “C,” 12% a “B” and 10% an “A.”
Newsom has repeatedly said he has no interest in running for president next year and has become a leading surrogate for President Joe Biden. Poll respondents strongly disagreed with those still musing about Newsom replacing Biden on the ticket. When asked who they would vote for if Newsom challenged Biden for president, more than twice as many (51%) supported Biden over Newsom (21%).
The survey of 1,000 registered voters was conducted Nov. 11-14. The margin of error is 3 percentage points.
Reach Joe Garofoli: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com; Twitter: @joegarofoli
