Rice is popular among Republicans, but so far has refused calls to run for senator, governor, even president.

The poll found 49 percent of Californians “inclining” to support her.

Under California’s Top Two system, Rice likely would face off against a Democrat in the November election, and would have to overcome the state’s strong Democratic identity. But her top showing indicates she might do better than Boxer’s 2010 opponent, former HP CEO Carly Fiorina, who got 42 percent.

Topping Democrats on the list was Attorney General Kamala Harris, with 46 percent “inclined” to support her. She announced her Senate bid last month.

In third place was Democratic Rep. Loretta Sanchez at 39 percent; then Democratic California Secretary of State Alex Padilla at 38 percent.

Oddly, former Rep. David Dreier, a Republican, did not make the list on the Field Poll. Yet he finished second, at 19 percent, to Harris’ 34 percent in a Public Policy Polling survey released last week. The poll asked about only five names, the others being former Democratic Mayor of Los Angeles Villaraigosa, 16 percent; former Republican Rep. Mary Bono, 14 percent; and Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff, 4 percent.

And in a head-to-head question, Dreier was in striking distance of Harris, with 42 percent to her 47 percent.

Here’s the full list for the Field Poll: