A new poll has shed light on how Californians feel about Kamala Harris possibly entering the 2026 race for governor. Although Harris hasn’t officially announced her candidacy yet, she is expected to decide by late summer. In the meantime, this early survey gives a glimpse into how voters in the state are reacting to the idea of her becoming California’s next governor.
The poll, conducted by POLITICO in partnership with UC Berkeley’s Citrin Centre, explored public sentiment by asking voters to describe their emotions around a potential Harris campaign. The options included words like “joyful,” “mostly excited,” “indifferent,” “irritated,” “outraged,” and “hopeless,” among others. Participants could select multiple responses to best reflect their feelings.
Two separate groups were surveyed—registered California voters and a category of voters referred to as “policy influencers.” The results were interesting, as they revealed very different reactions from each group.
The results among registered Democratic voters were heavily positive. One-third of these voters said they would feel “joyful” if Harris joined the governor’s race. Another 41% said they were “mostly excited” at the idea. Negative reactions like “irritated” or “outraged” were minimal, showing up only in the single digits. A quarter of Democratic voters said they were indifferent about her running.
On the other hand, Republican voters in California largely opposed the idea. Most Republicans who were surveyed used words like “irritated” or “outraged” to describe their reaction. However, considering that Democrats hold a strong voter majority in California, the enthusiasm from the Democratic base could give Harris a solid advantage if she decides to run.
Even though she hasn’t entered the race yet, Harris is far from the only name being discussed. Several others have already declared their interest in running. These include California’s current Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, former U.S. Representative Katie Porter, and former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. Governor Gavin Newsom is not eligible for another term due to term limits and is widely expected to pursue a presidential run in 2028.
What’s also notable is the response from the second group of voters surveyed—those considered “policy influencers.” This group includes people who are more active in shaping public opinion and political decisions. Only a small percentage seemed enthusiastic about Harris. In fact, 36% said they felt “indifferent” about her possible run. This reaction reminded some of Harris’s underwhelming performance during her 2019 presidential campaign, when she struggled to win strong support even in her home state.
One Republican strategist told Politico that Harris was more popular outside of California than within it during her early run for president. That memory seems to be lingering now as voters weigh the possibility of her running for governor.
Still, Kamala Harris has seen a surge in national recognition and popularity in recent years. She became the Democratic presidential nominee in 2024 after President Joe Biden stepped down from the race just three months before Election Day. Harris stepped in late but still managed to gain more votes than any other Democratic candidate in U.S. history within just 107 days, finishing with the third-highest number of votes ever received by a presidential candidate.
Though she did not defeat Donald Trump in that election, Harris’s rapid rise was considered impressive by many. Her supporters admired how she carried the campaign without being tied too closely to Biden, who had been losing favour with some voters at the time. Her late entry and solo campaign effort helped distance her from some of the criticisms directed at the Biden administration.
Because of her growing national profile and relatively young political age—she is 60—Harris is keeping her options open. While she hasn’t committed to running for California governor yet, she also hasn’t ruled out another attempt at the presidency in 2028 or even beyond.
Recently, Harris made headlines again during the Leading Women Defined Summit, where she addressed a room full of Black women leaders. In her speech, she finally spoke out about Donald Trump’s first months back in office after remaining relatively silent. Harris said that many organisations and individuals had stayed quiet in the face of what she called “clearly unconstitutional threats.” She pointed out that these events were creating a growing sense of fear across the country.
She went on to say, “There were many things that we knew would happen,” and then, with a knowing look, added, “I’m not here to say I told you so.” The audience responded with loud applause.
As Harris continues to evaluate her next steps, both her supporters and critics are watching closely. Whether she decides to run for governor or for president again, it’s clear she remains a major figure in American politics—and especially in California. For now, all eyes are on her summer announcement, which could shape not just the state’s political future but potentially the country’s as well.
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