Harris Leads in California Governor Race Polls
Vice President Kamala Harris is contemplating a run for governor of California and has reportedly gained a significant lead in early polling for the 2026 election. According to recent data from the University of California, Irvine’s Department of Social Ecology, she has garnered 24% support, positioning herself ahead of other declared and potential candidates.
Following Harris is businessman Rick Caruso, who is mulling his own run, sitting at 9% support. While Harris holds a conspicuous advantage, it’s worth noting that 40% of Californians remain undecided about who should succeed the term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom.
In a direct matchup against a typical Republican candidate, Harris performed even better, securing 41% of the vote compared to 29%. Additionally, the poll showed that she enjoys a favorable rating of 11% among California residents.
Since her loss in the 2024 presidential election, there has been much speculation about Harris’s next steps. Reports suggest she is seriously weighing her options for a gubernatorial bid, with a self-imposed deadline at the end of summer to make a decision. Meanwhile, the uncertainty seems to be affecting the dynamics of the governor’s race.
On the Democratic side, candidates like Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond have been active since 2023. Other notable figures include former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and Rep. Katie Porter. Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and former State Controller Betty Yee are also in the mix.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced in February that he would not pursue the governorship, suggesting that if Harris enters the race, it could significantly impact the lineup of candidates.
Additionally, Harris remains a top contender for a potential presidential run in 2028. However, data from Emerson College indicates her support for a second presidential bid has been waning recently, putting her behind former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in the 2028 nomination race.
The recent polling effort was conducted in collaboration with Truedot and involved two statewide surveys. The first one focused on Harris’s favorability and included 2,143 California adults, while the second surveyed 2,000 adults during overlapping dates.
