Nearly half of voters in California are open to supporting Vice President Kamala Harris if she were to run for governor in two years. A poll conducted by the University of California at Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies and the Los Angeles Times found that 46% of registered voters in the state would be likely to back Harris for governor. The race to succeed California Governor Gavin Newsom in 2026, as he is term-limited, is expected to attract significant national attention, given California’s strong Democratic voter base and the absence of a Republican governor for nearly two decades.
Harris, a California resident who has previously served as San Francisco district attorney and state attorney general, easily captured California’s electoral votes in the recent presidential election. Despite her victory, former President Donald Trump has been critical of her policies, particularly blaming her for issues such as crime and high prices in the state. Nonetheless, Harris remains popular in California, with a significant lead over Trump in the state.
Speculation abounds regarding Harris’s plans after leaving office, as she has not publicly discussed any potential future endeavors. Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, a longtime ally of Harris, has already launched her campaign to succeed Newsom as governor in 2026. With California heavily favoring Democratic candidates and Harris’s strong connections to the state, she could potentially be a front-runner in the gubernatorial race should she choose to run.
Despite the national attention that the California gubernatorial race is expected to attract, Harris has not yet indicated whether she plans to enter the race. With her strong ties to the state and past experience in various roles within California government, Harris could be a formidable candidate if she were to pursue the governorship. Additionally, given the state’s Democratic leanings and lack of recent Republican governors, Harris could have a significant advantage in the race.
The poll results indicating support for Harris among California voters come as she prepares to leave office in two months, following her replacement of President Biden on the Democratic ticket in the upcoming election. As Harris considers her next steps, the possibility of a gubernatorial run in California is one option that appears to have significant public support in the state. With high favorability ratings in California and a strong track record within the state’s government, Harris could be well-positioned to mount a successful campaign for governor.
In conclusion, Vice President Kamala Harris has garnered substantial support among California voters, with nearly half expressing openness to backing her in a potential gubernatorial run. Despite criticism from former President Donald Trump, Harris remains popular in her home state and could be a strong contender in the upcoming race to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom. With Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis already running for governor and Harris’s future plans uncertain, the California gubernatorial race promises to be a closely watched contest in the coming years.
