Receives Landslide Win at San Marcos Awaken Church GOP Debate

SAN MARCOS–Pastor Ché Ahn won 57 percent of those polled at the San Marcos Awaken Church for the Take Your Power Back California Governor Showdown–a debate with 13 GOP candidates on Saturday, Nov. 8th.

The top four votes went to: Pastor Ché Ahn (57.1%); Lewis Herms (34.6%); Steve Hilton (25.8%); and David Serpa (11.7%). The other 9 GOP Gubernatorial candidates included: Jim Athans, David Collenberg, Colby Marcum, Daniel Mercuri, Leo Nerano Scott Shields, Gretha Solarzano, Ryan Tillman, and Leo Zacky. Not participating was Chad Bianco.

Dran Reese, Founder and President of The Salt and Light Council speaking on Tuesday, Dec. 16 said she supports Pastor Ché Ahn for California governor because he is the only candidate that has signed The Families First Pledge which includes:

• The freedom to practice the tenets of one’s faith;
• Protecting innocent human life from conception to natural death;
• Defending the natural family and marriage;
• Restoring the natural right of parents to determine the best way to educate, raise and care for their children;
• Enact free market economic policies that empower families to achieve their highest potential.

(Editor’s Note: Candidates and current office holders can sign the Families First Pledge at: https://www.saltandlightcouncil.org/families-first/.)

Reform California Dec. 11 News Release: “Crowded GOP Field Risks Handing CA Governor’s Race To Democrats”

With California’s governor’s race heating up, Reform California Chairman and State Assemblymember Carl DeMaio is issuing a stark warning: too many Republican candidates running for Governor may unintentionally hand the election to Democrats by splitting the vote.

DeMaio says the threat isn’t hypothetical — it’s baked into California’s controversial Top Two Primary system, which allows only the two highest vote-getters REGARDLESS of their political party to advance to the general election.

In other words, if two Democrat candidates get more votes than Republican candidates who split the vote, then the runoff in November will only have the two Democrat candidates.

“If Republicans divide their support among multiple candidates, Democrats will take both top spots — and voters will be left with no real choice in November,” said DeMaio. “That’s exactly how Sacramento’s political insiders designed the system.”

Recent polls show just how a crowded race for Governor has split the votes on both sides – with Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco at 12-15% each and Democrats Katie Porter and Eric Swalwell are also drawing roughly 12-15% each. Other candidates are in single digits.

A multi-millionaire Jon Slevat has decided to jump in the race as a Republican candidate to further split the vote.

“We’ve seen this play out before — conservatives cancel each other out, Democrats waltz into November unopposed, and the media pretends it’s a mandate,” said DeMaio. “It’s voter suppression by manipulation of the rules.”

Reform California is urging candidates, donors, and grassroots activists to avoid repeating the mistakes of past cycles.

According to DeMaio, Republicans don’t need a crowded field — they need a unified effort that turns voter frustration into one viable candidacy.

“Our opponents want confusion and division. Republicans need clarity and unity, or we risk giving Democrats another uncontested pathway to power.”

Reform California is conducting a poll of its volunteers and supporters to see which candidate they prefer to back for Governor.

The Reform California endorsement could help a candidate consolidate support and make it into the runoff. The Reform California “Plain English” Voter Guide is the most utilized guide in California elections for center-right voters.

Take The Poll

(Editor’s Note: The Reform California Poll only lists two GOP candidates, Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco and Fox News Commentator Steve Hilton. There is a box for Undecided and another box for Other. While the poll asks for zip code, age and political party, it does not ask for your name or address. Reform California Chairman State Assemblyman Carl DeMaio said on the Wednesday, Dec. 17 zoom webinar that he hopes to do a podcast on the two leading GOP candidates in January and see only one of these candidates remain listed on the 2026 California primary ballot.)

Ché Ahn’s website: Che4CA.com.