Could Kamala Harris be the next California governor? Here’s how she’s polling
Fresh from the polls: A clear frontrunner
Former Vice President and Democratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris holds a substantial lead over other potential candidates to succeed California Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2026.
Despite not indicating if she intends to run in the gubernatorial race, Harris dominates the field of possible Democratic candidates in a recent Emerson College poll commissioned by KTLA parent company Nexstar Media for The Hill and Inside California Politics.
The numbers don’t lie
The poll surveyed registered Democrats in California earlier this month, asking who they would theoretically support in 2026.
The answer overwhelmingly was Harris.
The former U.S. Senator-turned-Veep received 57% of responses, easily surpassing the second-highest vote-getter in former Orange County Congresswoman Katie Porter (9%). Of those polled, 17% said they haven’t decided yet who they would choose.
The breakdown
| Candidate | Support (%) |
|---|---|
| Kamala Harris | 57% |
| Katie Porter | 9% |
| Antonio Villaraigosa | 4% |
| Eleni Kounalakis | 4% |
| Toni Atkins | 3% |
| Betty Yee | 2% |
| Stephen Cloobeck | 1% |
| Tony Thurmond | 1% |
| Michael Younger | 1% |
| Someone else | 3% |
| Undecided | 17% |
Demographics
“Support for Harris is strongest among women (60%), Hispanics (61%), and Black Democratic voters (64%),” said Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling. “If Vice President Harris enters the Democratic Primary, she would start as the clear favorite. Without Harris in the race, the primary is wide open.”
A background in California politics
Harris is no stranger to California politics, representing the state in the U.S. Senate, serving as Attorney General under Gov. Jerry Brown and holding office as the District Attorney for San Francisco.
A national figure
As Joe Biden’s Vice President, Harris made history by becoming the highest-ranking female official in American history. She’s also the first African American and the first Asian American to hold the position.
Other contenders
Katie Porter, who represented the 45th and later the 47th Congressional Districts in Orange County, is a progressive darling known for sparring with her opponents on Capitol Hill with the help of a whiteboard as a visual aid.
Eleni Kounalakis, current Lieutenant Governor, is a contender, having already announced her campaign for governor.
Conclusion
While Harris has not indicated her intentions to run, the poll suggests she would be the clear frontrunner if she were to enter the race. The outcome of the election remains uncertain, but Harris’s popularity among Democratic voters in California is undeniable.
FAQs
Q: What is the current California Governor?
A: Gavin Newsom
Q: Who is the current Lieutenant Governor of California?
A: Eleni Kounalakis
Q: When is the next California gubernatorial election?
A: 2026
