California Voters Are Skeptical About Newsom and Harris for President

Those who have experienced the governance of Governor Gavin Newsom and former attorney general Kamala Harris in California are showing a lack of enthusiasm about the prospect of either of them becoming president of the United States.

According to a report from Politico, a significant decline in support has been noted among California voters regarding Newsom and Harris’ potential presidential runs in 2028. Enthusiasm for Newsom has dropped by 11 percentage points, from 48% in March to 37% in September. For Harris, the support has decreased by 13 points, going from 41% to 28%.

When breaking down the numbers among Democrats, there is a bit more optimism. The survey indicates that 61% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning voters would be excited about a Newsom presidential bid, while 39% wouldn’t be. In contrast, only 55% of Democrats expressed a lack of enthusiasm for Harris’s candidacy.

Politico interprets this situation as positive for Newsom, highlighting the difference in support with the headline, “California Democrats see Newsom as a stronger 2028 contender than Harris.” However, the gap among Democrats is just a mere six points, suggesting that enthusiasm may be moderate for both candidates.

Yet, the underlying issue remains clear: the individuals most familiar with Newsom and Harris seem reluctant to endorse them for national leadership.

One factor contributing to Politico’s recent challenges, including being excluded from White House events, arises from stories perceived as biased, particularly those favorable to Democrats. Observers suggest there’s a general belief within the media that Harris would struggle in another bid, prompting some outlets to discourage her from another attempt.

There is speculation that Politico views Newsom, as a more traditional candidate, as having a better shot against potential Republican contenders than Harris, who has faced setbacks in past campaigns and carries a complicated political history.

Even if some media outlets may push for a particular narrative, Kamala Harris remains the frontrunner among Democratic voters for the 2028 nomination, as indicated by various polls.

Despite attempts to spin the story, the consensus is that the outlook for Harris and Newsom among those who know them best may not bode well for their presidential aspirations.