Well, it looks like the disaster that was Kamala Harris’ political career might not be over just yet. Despite crashing and burning in the 2024 presidential race, a new poll suggests that Harris would be the frontrunner for California governor in 2026—because apparently, Californians haven’t suffered enough.
According to an Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics/The Hill survey, nearly six in ten Democratic primary voters—a whopping 57 percent—would back Harris if she jumped into the race to replace Gavin Newsom. That’s right, the same Kamala Harris who couldn’t even make it to the Iowa caucuses in 2020 before being laughed out of the race. The same Kamala Harris who was so unpopular as vice president that her approval ratings made Biden look good by comparison.
Yet, here we are.
Her nearest competition in this hypothetical race? Former Rep. Katie Porter, who managed to scrape together nine percent after flopping in her Senate bid. Also in the mix are former California State Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, both sitting at a thrilling four percent. That leaves 17 percent of voters undecided, probably because they’re wondering how California managed to find this uninspiring of a field.
Of course, Harris is playing coy when asked about her plans. “I have been home for two weeks and three days,” she told reporters, as if she were some weary warrior returning from battle instead of a failed candidate limping back to friendly territory. She went on to say she just wants to “be in touch with my community” and “figure out what I can do to support them.” Translation? She’s testing the waters for a comeback.
And according to Emerson College Polling’s Spencer Kimball, if Harris jumps in, she’s the clear favorite. Without her, the race is “wide open”—which is a polite way of saying that no one else has enough name recognition for anyone to care.
Now, let’s be real. If Harris does run, she’ll almost certainly win. This is California we’re talking about—the same state that keeps electing Newsom, rewarding incompetence, and doubling down on failed policies. If they’re willing to embrace four more years of Kamala Harris-level leadership, maybe they deserve what’s coming.
But for the rest of us? The thought of Governor Kamala Harris is just another reminder of how far California has fallen.
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