Kamala refuses to leave whether voters like it or not.
Could Kamala Harris become California’s next governor? A new survey shows the answer might be a resounding “Who cares?”—even among the state’s own political insiders.
In a joint poll by Politico and UC Berkeley’s Citrin Center, California’s policy elite—lawmakers, state officials, and insiders—expressed a stunning lack of enthusiasm for the former vice president making a political comeback in the Golden State.
Indifference Dominates Among Policy Influencers
While Harris remains a familiar face in liberal politics, the survey found that 36% of California policy influencers are flat-out “indifferent” about her potential gubernatorial run. Only 4% said they’d be “outraged,” while 20% admitted they’d be “irritated.”
That kind of cold reaction from California’s own political class is bad news for a Democrat once touted as the party’s future.
Even among voters, the numbers were weak. Just 33% of registered voters described themselves as “joyful” about the idea—hardly a ringing endorsement in one of the nation’s most liberal states.
Independent and Minority Voters Pull Back
Independent voters—once considered a swing demographic—were especially skeptical. A whopping 26% said they were “irritated” by the thought of Harris running for governor, while 21% described themselves as feeling “hopeless.”
The numbers among minority groups, long seen as Democratic strongholds, were shockingly mixed:
- 35% of Black voters said they’d be joyful if Harris ran.
- But 19% of Latino voters said they felt “hopeless.”
- 18% of Asian voters expressed irritation at the idea.
UC Berkeley political science professor Jack Citrin said the data reflects a realignment already visible in the 2024 presidential election: “Latino voters shifted toward Trump in ways we haven’t seen since 2016,” he told Politico.
Harris Still Pushing Political Agenda After Trump’s 2024 Victory
Kamala Harris may have lost the 2024 election to President Donald J. Trump, but she hasn’t disappeared. Though she’s kept a low public profile, she continues to weigh her political future and push back against Trump’s agenda.
In an April 7 speech clip posted to social media, Harris defiantly declared:
“I’ll see you out there. I’m not going anywhere.”
She also criticized Trump’s Project 2025 initiative, saying Americans are “standing up” against the administration—yet many voters in her home state don’t seem to be standing with her.
Meanwhile, her 2024 running mate, Gov. Tim Walz, has made public appearances and given multiple interviews since the defeat—a contrast to Harris’ mostly silent post-election period.
What’s Next for Harris—and California?
Though she hasn’t officially entered the governor’s race, Harris remains politically active and is reportedly considering a 2028 White House bid.
But the data is clear: Her home state isn’t rolling out the red carpet. With deep voter skepticism, shifting Latino support, and widespread insider indifference, Harris faces serious challenges—even in California.
As President Trump continues to deliver results in Washington, Harris’ potential campaign may struggle to gain traction where it matters most: with the everyday Americans who are tired of failed leadership, weak messaging, and empty promises.
