Staff Reports
The political future of Kamala Harris is looking murkier than a California sky that’s been smoggy for a week straight. As her ambitions shift toward a potential run for governor in 2026, Democrats have cranked up the polling machinery to gauge her support among voters. Although some surveys suggest she’s sitting pretty at the top, the reality is more convoluted than a Hollywood script. Harris has yet to win a single primary vote in a presidential race, which surely raises eyebrows beyond the sunny shores of California.
Polling data reveals Harris is seen as the frontrunner for the gubernatorial seat come 2026, particularly as Gavin Newsom, the current governor, will be term-limited. Most recently, a poll indicated a whopping 57 percent of Democratic primary voters prefer Harris over her competition, with former Congressman Katie Porter barely scraping by at 9 percent. One can assume that many of Porter’s supporters are still indecisive about the current political climate, and probably wondering if they should just call it a day.
However, a dive into the deeper polling waters shows that her lead isn’t as solid as one might think—especially in a hypothetical matchup against Republican John Cox, where it appears Harris is barely ahead 23 percent to 21. It turns out California voters might not be quite so keen to embrace another Biden administration castaway. Meanwhile, Porter looks better when Harris isn’t in the picture, leading Cox by 26 to 21 percentage points. It seems like a classic case of “out of sight, out of mind.”
The malaise extends beyond California, as Harris’s chances in the 2028 presidential race appear even dimmer. A poll indicated that she’s tied with the oft-forgotten Pete Buttigieg at 15 percent, while Newsom, who seems to have a knack for keeping his head above water, leads the pack with 27 percent support. This, despite his dubious handling of statewide crises. Trying to sell yet another West Coast elitist to an American electorate that’s been in a bad mood is like trying to hawk ice to Eskimos. Good luck with that, Democrats.
Here’s Where Harris Stands in New 2028 Polls https://t.co/HABrwqR5Z2 No one is interested in this person….JLN
— Jack Nethercot (@JackNethercot) February 14, 2025
It’s no revelation that Harris’s supporters are floundering in a sea of disappointment. Many blame President Biden’s team for the electoral debacle in 2024, leaving Harris with little accountability for her own missteps. With the Democratic Party in disarray, a staggering 79 percent of voters think they’ve failed spectacularly against the Trump administration. Desperate times produce desperate measures, and a poll found only 11 percent believe the Democratic Party can even mount an effective challenge against Trump moving forward.
In summary, while Harris might be waving a flag adorned with the words “future” and “power,” the sluggish approval ratings and deep-seated disenchantment signal a very different reality. Should Americans really trust someone who has historically struggled to even capture a primary vote? California may want Harris back, but the nation might just prefer a little less turbulence and a lot more common sense.
