Poll Indicates Kamala Harris as Favorable Choice for California Governor

Former Vice President Kamala Harris hasn’t made a decision on whether to run for California governor next year, but a recent poll suggests that she could be a strong candidate if she does. The survey, conducted by the University of California Irvine, revealed that while many voters remain undecided, Harris garnered the support of 41% of respondents, compared to 29% backing an unidentified Republican contender. She also enjoys the highest favorable ratings and is the most recognized candidate in the race.

In a statement, John Gould, dean of UCI’s Department of Social Ecology, commented, “Harris has a seemingly favorable path to the governorship if she chooses to run. While she doesn’t have majority support at this moment, people are more familiar with her compared to others and generally view her positively.”

Only 5% of Californians reported never having heard of Harris, in contrast to other candidates who were largely unknown. For instance, 47% of survey participants were unaware of former Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who previously ran for governor in 2018, while 48% were unfamiliar with former Congressman Katie Porter, who aimed for the US Senate in 2024.

When faced with announced contenders, Harris was favored by 24% of voters, distinguishing herself as the only candidate with double-digit support. However, 40% of those surveyed were still undecided.

Among Democrats, who comprised 47% of California’s electorate as of February, Harris received nearly half of the support, whereas other declared candidates remained in single digits. Poll results indicated that she led across various regions and demographic groups within the state.

Rick Caruso, a billionaire real estate developer and a Democrat who ran for mayor of Los Angeles in 2022, is also considering another mayoral or gubernatorial run and has garnered 27% support from GOP voters, making him a viable option.

As of now, Harris’s team has not commented on the situation, but she is anticipated to make a decision regarding her potential candidacy by the end of the summer.

The statewide poll, which surveyed 4,143 Californians, was conducted online over two separate sessions from May 27th to June 2nd.