Former Vice President Kamala Harris faces an uncertain path as she contemplates a potential run for California governor in 2026.
According to the New York Post, a recent survey conducted by Politico and UC Berkeley's Citrin Center reveals that California policy influencers demonstrate lukewarm enthusiasm toward Harris's possible gubernatorial ambitions, with 36% expressing indifference to her potential candidacy.
The poll, which sampled 718 California influencers and 1,025 registered voters through the TrueDot.ai platform from April 1-14, showcases a diverse range of opinions among different demographic groups. The survey's findings indicate a notable divide between policy insiders and regular Democratic voters regarding Harris's potential candidacy.
Among registered Democratic voters, support for Harris appears more robust than among policy influencers. Approximately 41% of Democrats expressed strong excitement about her potential candidacy, while 33% reported feeling joyful about the prospect. Only about a quarter of Democratic voters indicated indifference to her possible run.
The survey revealed significant variations in enthusiasm among minority voters. Black voters showed particularly strong support, with 35% expressing joy and 38% indicating excitement about a potential Harris gubernatorial campaign. However, Latino and Asian voters displayed more reservations, with 19% of Latino voters feeling hopeless and 19% of Asian voters expressing irritation about the possibility.
Policy influencers demonstrated a notably cooler response to Harris's potential candidacy. Beyond the 36% who expressed indifference, 22% described themselves as "mostly excited," while 20% reported feeling "irritated" and 4% claimed to be "outraged" about the prospect.
Since her electoral loss to President Trump in November 2024, Harris has largely remained out of the public spotlight.
Her public appearances have been limited to occasional speeches and social media commentary on current events. In a recent social media post, Harris criticized the Trump administration's Project 2025 and new tariff policies.
The former vice president has made it clear she intends to remain politically active, declaring after her defeat that she will "stay in the fight" and won't "go quietly into the night." However, she has yet to make any official announcements about her future political plans.
The timing of the poll coincides with increasing speculation about Harris's political future, as incumbent Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom faces term limits in 2026. Political observers suggest Harris may be considering either a gubernatorial run or another presidential bid in 2028.
The mixed reception to Harris's potential candidacy reflects the complex political dynamics in California as the state prepares for a post-Newsom era. The survey results suggest that while Harris maintains strong support among certain Democratic constituencies, she may face challenges in building broader enthusiasm among policy influencers and some minority communities.
The possibility of Harris running for governor has sparked varied reactions across California's political spectrum. With Newsom term-limited in 2026, the state's political establishment appears to be carefully weighing potential successors while considering factors such as electability and policy priorities.
The poll's margin of error stands at plus-or-minus 5 percentage points for registered voters, highlighting the fluid nature of public opinion this far ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial race.
