Just days after Carl DeMaio announced he is running for California State Assembly to bring the energy and innovative solutions of his Reform California movement into the state legislature, a new poll from national political research firm GS Strategies shows DeMaio has a commanding lead in the race.

“I’m thrilled to see our strong San Diego base of supporters are united behind my decision to bring the common-sense voice of our Reform California movement into the state legislature,” DeMaio said.

Among Republican voters, the poll shows DeMaio has a stunning 74% approval rating versus just a 11% disapproval rating – a net positive image of 63%. Among social conservative voters, DeMaio has an 84% approval rating versus just a 6% disapproval rating – with a net positive image of 78%.

The poll also tested the candidates running for the 75th Assembly District in both an initial ballot test and an informed ballot test after providing positive and negative statements about the candidates. The results show voters overwhelmingly favor DeMaio for the seat and that DeMaio’s support is remarkably resilient against attacks.

“San Diego voters know who Carl DeMaio is and they like what they see: a happy warrior who has always been willing to step forward and lead populist fights that resonate with voters across party lines – like the gas tax repeal, the effort to block the San Diego county mileage tax, or stopping the placement of violent sexual predators in residential communities,” says Jennifer Jacobs, communications strategist for the DeMaio campaign.

The California College Republicans (CCR) have voted unanimously to endorse DeMaio – the first official Republican organization to back DeMaio.

David Chan, chairman of the California College Republicans and chairman of the Alameda County Republican Party, says that DeMaio’s run will bring much needed change to California politics.

“Carl is a fighter for the grassroots – for the people – that says what many of us are all thinking: Republican officials and electeds need to stop caving to the Left without any attempt to fight back and offer an actual, bold alternative instead of just complaining,” said Chan.

DeMaio is a small business owner, hosted the popular afternoon drive-time show on AM-600 KOGO since 2015, and has served as the volunteer Chairman of Reform California since 2003, a conservative grassroots political organization that has worked to recruit candidates, champion ballot measures like the 2018 Gas Tax Repeal, and defeat hundreds of state and local tax hikes.

The 75th District includes the communities of Fallbrook, Bonsall, Valley Center, Ramona, Poway, Scripps Ranch, Santee, Lakeside, Alpine, Julian, Borrego Springs, Pala, Jamul, Pine Valley, Pauma Valley, and Bonita.

In announcing his campaign for Assembly District 75, currently represented by termed-out Republican Marie Waldron, DeMaio laid out his vision for Reform California’s future as a “movement.” DeMaio and Reform California stated that their goal is to “recruit, endorse and support candidates for state and local offices who will be part of a statewide ‘Reform Caucus’ of elected officials willing to fight aggressively to break the Super-Majority Democrat control in the state” – and that plan starts with DeMaio leading the charge by running for Assembly.

DeMaio will face off against another Republican in the race, local School Board President Andrew Hayes – who has been endorsed by the local and state Republican Parties. DeMaio’s campaign released polling this morning showing him with a 49% favorability rating in the heavily Republican district. Meanwhile, Hayes’ favorability sat at 5%. DeMaio also beat Hayes in an initial and infomed ballot test by nearly 40% in both cases.

Andrew Hayes announced his bid for the seat back in June. Hayes will be a difficult candidate to match when it comes to experience, as he has worked in both former California State Senator Joel Anderson’s office and as District Director for State Senator Brian Jones.

Waldron announced her endorsement Hayes in the race for the seat.

“I’ve spent more than two decades fighting for the people of this district,” Waldron said. “I know the issues and values that matter to them, and I know what it means to stand up to Sacramento Democrats’ failed agenda. Andrew Hayes will not let AD-75 families down in the fight to get our economy back on track, keep our communities safe, and keep the woke agenda out of our kids’ classrooms.”