Staff Reports
Kamala Harris returned to her roots in California, but the welcome mat seemed less of a warm embrace and more like a tepid yawn from an indifferent crowd. Early polling for the 2026 gubernatorial race suggests that while voters recognize her name, they hardly rush to back her with any enthusiasm. The former Vice President appears to be keeping one eye on a possible run for 2028, but her reception back home isn’t exactly firing up the campaign trail.
The reactions from the public range from outright joy to sheer apathy. A recent poll detailed emotions ranging from “joyful” and “excited” to various degrees of “indifferent” and downright “hopeless.” The survey from Politico and the UC Berkeley Citrin Center took a deep dive into the feelings surrounding what would be California’s first open gubernatorial race in nearly a decade. For many Californians, the prospect of a Governor Harris isn’t exactly making history; rather, it’s inducing a collective shrug.
Breaking the responses down further, it’s amusing to note that a significant chunk of “policy influencers” in California—think of them as the political elite—felt “indifferent” about the idea of a Harris candidacy. In a state dominated by Democrats, this lack of enthusiasm raises eyebrows. Mike Murphy, a GOP strategist familiar with California politics, dryly pointed out that Harris was never the head of the popularity pack. It seems that even among her supposed allies, the excitement is about as electric as a dead battery.
Kamala Gets Devastating Update On Her Future Aspirations.https://t.co/e4dwHITz9z#DiamondandSilk
— Diamond and Silk® (@DiamondandSilk) April 15, 2025
Registered voters, especially independents, make for an even more telling narrative. While three-quarters of Democrats express sunny feelings toward a Harris candidacy, independents are far less forgiving. A notable percentage admit to feeling “irritated” and “hopeless” at the thought of her running. This raises serious questions about her viability in a state where Democrats don’t even make up half of the voting bloc. It’s safe to say that considerable portions of the electorate are less than thrilled about the prospect of Harris when they skim through their ballots.
As the political chess game continues, Harris seems to be weighing her options, reportedly setting an end-of-summer deadline to announce her intentions. This cat-and-mouse game has potential challengers like Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis keeping their plans on standby, ready to spring into action should Harris decide to take a pass. For rivals eyeing the governor’s seat, the current polling has a whiff of blood in the water, suggesting that while Harris might start with name recognition, she is anything but invincible.
With such disillusionment swirling around what could be a pivotal comeback for Harris, the stakes are high. If her own party isn’t thrilled, and independents are cocking an eyebrow at the mere mention of her name, the California gubernatorial race may turn out to be a nail-biter for her. The game of political musical chairs continues, but one has to wonder — will Harris even have a seat when the music stops?
