Last Updated on February 21, 2025
Failing Democrat presidential contender Kamala Harris leads the Democratic field of contenders for governor of California.
In a potential 2026 gubernatorial race in California to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris is currently leading among 57 percent of Democratic primary voters, as indicated by a survey conducted by 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.
Other candidates such as Antonio Villaraigosa, a former Democratic Speaker of the California State Assembly, and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalki have gathered 4 percent each, with 17 percent of voters remaining undecided.
The survey, which took place on Feb. 10-11 and involved 1,000 registered voters in California, showed a margin of error of 3 percentage points. Among the 469 Democratic primary voters surveyed, the margin of error was 4.5 percentage points, according to the Hill.
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.
