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, California – California voters are sharply divided in their opinions of two high-profile Democratic women, Vice President Kamala Harris and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, according to a new poll released by UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies in partnership with The Los Angeles Times.
Harris, who is considering a potential run for governor in 2026, enjoys near-universal name recognition in California, with 96% of voters able to offer an opinion about her. Half of those polled view her favorably, while 46% have a negative impression—a relatively strong showing despite her 2024 presidential loss to Donald Trump. Harris draws her strongest support from women, frequent voters, and residents of the Bay Area and Los Angeles County.
In contrast, Mayor Bass faces ongoing criticism following her administration’s handling of recent wildfires in Altadena and Pacific Palisades. Her approval rating has sharply declined among Angelenos, with 50% now viewing her unfavorably and only 32% holding a favorable opinion. This change in approval ratings marks a significant reversal from October 2022, when she was positively viewed by half of likely voters just before winning the mayoral election.
“Once you develop an unfavorable image, it’s hard to overcome,” said Mark DiCamillo, director of the IGS poll. “It almost requires another major event she can take credit for or look good in handling.” Bass, a former state legislator and congresswoman, is facing a recall effort, although it is unlikely to reach the ballot. Still, her low approval numbers could complicate her 2025 reelection bid.
The two Democrats, who have long been political allies, were considered for Joe Biden’s running mate in 2020. Harris ultimately got the nod, later becoming vice president and, after Biden declined to run again, the Democratic nominee in 2024.
Though Harris has maintained a lower profile since her November loss, she delivered a scathing critique of Trump in April, warning of a looming constitutional crisis. Yet her indecision about a gubernatorial run has irked allies and rivals alike. Former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa criticized Harris for delaying an announcement, calling her team’s approach “arrogant.”
“California is not a steppingstone,” Villaraigosa said. “Stop playing footsie. Either run for governor or not.”
The Berkeley IGS poll surveyed 6,201 California voters online from April 21–28. The margin of error is ±2 percentage points, with greater variation among subgroups. Full poll results will be released Tuesday.
