Staff Reports
Recent California polling should make Democrats sit up and take notice — and give the rest of us a smirk. Two big, respected surveys show Governor Gavin Newsom topping former Vice President Kamala Harris among California Democrats as a preferred 2028 choice, while the same polls show that Californians are not exactly hugging the governor in gratitude. Translation: the home-team favorites are not as popular as their handlers would like you to think.
New polls put Gavin Newsom ahead of Kamala Harris among California Democrats
The UC Berkeley IGS/Los Angeles Times poll found Governor Gavin Newsom at roughly 28% as the first choice among California Democrats for a future presidential nominee, while former Vice President Kamala Harris trailed at about 9%. That is a striking gap, especially since Harris is from this state. Poll director Mark DiCamillo called Newsom’s showing “quite a positive result” for the governor. That’s one way to put it. For Harris, it reads more like a wake-up call than a victory lap.
Approval ratings, the economy, and voter mood: the weak spot for Democrats
Another respected tracker, the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), shows Newsom’s job approval in the middle of the road — roughly half of adults approve, maybe a little more among likely voters. At the same time, Californians name cost of living and housing as the top problems. Voters who are worried about money don’t usually reward political elites with high marks. So you have a popular-in-name governor in certain circles, but a public that’s anxious, unhappy about the economy, and ready to blame Sacramento.
Why these polls matter — fundraising, endorsements, and the 2028 map
Why care about these snapshots? Because home-state strength matters. If a national figure can’t clear modest support in their own backyard, donors and endorsers grow skittish fast. Media narratives follow. The national favorability trackers haven’t been kind either, and when both local and national polls show middling numbers it feeds into a larger story: Democrats don’t have the easy, unstoppable bench they assume. That can cost money, unity, and momentum — all of which matter for 2026 and 2028.
Bottom line: Californians deserve better answers than a shrug
These polls are a reminder that voters judge politicians on results, not resumes. Californians are leaving for reasons beyond scenery — affordability, safety, and a sense their leaders are out of touch. Democrats should stop playing roster games and start solving problems. Until they do, headlines about polling will keep getting louder and the exits will too. If you live in California, take the numbers seriously — and maybe start checking how heavy that moving box is.
