Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a memorial ceremony for former President Jimmy Carter in the Rotunda at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 7, 2025 in Washington, DC. Carter's body will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda until a funeral service at the National Cathedral in Washington on January 9.
SACRAMENTO, CA – As chatter intensifies around Vice President Kamala Harris’ next political move, new polling data suggests she would enter California’s 2026 gubernatorial race as the frontrunner—but not without significant challenges.
With Governor Gavin Newsom term-limited, Harris’ name has emerged as a top contender to succeed him, marking what would be her first major political campaign since losing the 2024 presidential election to Donald Trump. Some Democrats believe Harris’ national profile and deep campaign infrastructure could clear the field, but new polls reveal a more complicated picture.
A February Emerson College/Inside California Politics/The Hill poll found that 57% of Democratic primary voters would back Harris, with her closest potential competitor, former Representative Katie Porter, garnering just 9%. Without Harris in the race, nearly half of Democratic voters (45%) were undecided, leaving the field wide open.
However, among the broader California electorate, Harris faces stiffer competition. A Capitol Weekly poll from early February showed her leading with just 23% support statewide, barely ahead of Republican businessman John Cox (21%), with Porter at 16%. Former Trump aide Richard Grenell has hinted at a potential run if Harris enters the race, banking on her polarizing national image to make California’s deep-blue governorship competitive.
While Harris has yet to announce a decision, reports suggest she is “absolutely” planning a bid. Still, when asked directly, she sidestepped the question, emphasizing her focus on local issues.
If Harris does run, her candidacy would dramatically reshape the race, with many Democratic hopefuls—including former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis—potentially reconsidering their chances. As 2026 approaches, the looming question remains: Will Kamala Harris attempt a political revival in California, or will she keep her sights set on 2028?
