Poll Shows California Democrats Favor Newsom for 2028 Presidential Run
A recent poll indicates that California Democrats are leaning towards Governor Gavin Newsom as their preferred candidate in the potential 2028 presidential primary. This finding comes from a survey conducted by the Golden State Positive Lab and the Citrine Center Pushribull Lab.
The poll reveals that Newsom, the current governor and a predecessor to Kamala Harris as Senator from California, receives support from 25% of registered Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, while Harris trails at 19%. This report adds to the speculation surrounding both politicians as they consider White House ambitions for 2028.
“I like Harris,” acknowledged Jack Citlin, a political science professor at UC Berkeley involved with the poll, “but I’m not entirely sure she’s the strongest candidate.” He believes that if people perceive a candidate as active in their campaign, they’re more likely to show support for them.
Meanwhile, Governor Newsom has been making news regarding his efforts to reshape California’s political landscape, working on a plan that could flip up to five congressional seats from Republican to Democratic control.
Interestingly, 75% of surveyed Democratic voters expressed excitement about Newsom’s potential run for the presidency in 2028, whereas support for Harris seems less enthusiastic.
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg found himself in a distant third place in this poll, garnering about 13% of voter support.
In June, Newsom hinted at the possibility of running for office, stating he “didn’t think about it” but acknowledged that things are “developing.” Notably, he faced a recall election in 2021, which he successfully overcame.
Harris also stirred speculation when she announced on June 30 her decision not to run in the upcoming California governor’s race, raising questions about her interest in seeking the presidency in 2028.
This poll encompassed a sample of 807 registered Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, with responses collected in both English and Spanish. The margin of error for the overall sample is reported to be plus or minus 2.6%. In a related study conducted among Politico Pro subscribers, the margin of error was noted at plus or minus 3.7%.
Neither Harris nor Newsom’s offices provided immediate comments on the survey findings.
