Last Updated on February 21, 2025
Failing Democrat presidential contender Kamala Harris leads the Democratic field of contenders for governor of California.
If Harris throws her hat in the Golden State’s 2026 gubernatorial race to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom, the former vice president is garnering a 57 percent lead among 6 in 10 Democratic primary voters, according to a survey from Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics/The Hill.
Former Rep. Katie Porter, who resigned from Congress last year for an unsuccessful Senate bid, trails Harris by 9 percent support.
Antonio Villaraigosa, former Democrat Speaker of the California State Assembly and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalki both amassed 4 percent while 17 percent of voters are undecided.
“The polling was conducted Feb. 10-11 among 1,000 California registered voters, and had a margin of error of 3 percentage points. Among the 469 Democratic primary voters, the margin of error was 4.5 percentage points,” the Hill reports.
After President Donald Trump’s historic 2024 victory, controversy swirls around Harris’ next potential political endeavors. Some suspect Joe Biden’s V.P. is gearing up for another run for the presidency in 2028.
Since leaving office, Harris, a former attorney general and U.S. Senator, has pushed aside questions about a potential gubernatorial bid in California, insisting she had barely been home and intends to connect with her local community.
“I have been home for two weeks and three days. My plans are to be in touch with my community, to be with the leaders and figure out what I can do to support them,” she told reporters earlier this month after touring areas impacted by the Palisades wildfire.
“I am here and would be here regardless of the office I hold because it is the right thing to do, which is to show up in your community and thank the folks who are on the ground,” she continued.
