Can Kamala ‘word salad’ her way to victory?
Is Kamala Harris California’s future governor—or just another Democrat with fading star power? A brand-new poll reveals that Harris may be leading on paper, but she’s facing a massive wall of voter resistance back home.
According to a 2026 primary poll from Emerson College, Harris sits at the top of a hypothetical gubernatorial field with 31% support. But here’s the problem: 50% of voters say they don’t want her to run at all.
That’s right. Half the electorate is already tired of Kamala Harris before she’s even entered the race.
California Democrats: Divided, Weak, and Leaderless
California Democrats are gearing up for life after Gov. Gavin Newsom, who’s term-limited. But with no clear consensus candidate, the party looks increasingly fractured.
Former Congresswoman Katie Porter, known for her aggressive progressive style, lags far behind at just 8%. Even with over a dozen Democrats in the mix—including Xavier Becerra, Eleni Kounalakis, and Antonio Villaraigosa—no one else tops 2%.
Meanwhile, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican, scored 4%—a surprising sign that common-sense conservatives could gain ground, even in deep-blue territory.
A Field on Hold: Waiting on Kamala
Despite Harris being the clear front-runner, 39% of voters remain undecided, showing a profound lack of enthusiasm across the board.
Political observers say the entire field is “frozen,” with donors, strategists, and candidates all waiting for Harris to make her move. If she runs, she could clear the field. But if she doesn’t? Chaos and infighting could tear the Democrat Party apart.
Without Harris in the race, Katie Porter’s numbers rise to 21% among Democrats—proof that the Left is scrambling for leadership.
Harris: Unpopular Nationally, and Divisive Locally
Harris, who already failed on the national stage as Vice President, is reportedly mulling a return to California politics. She’s hinted at a decision by the end of summer, recently saying, “I’m not going anywhere.”
But the real question is—does anyone want her to stay?
Her approval numbers continue to lag across the board, and this new polling shows that even many California Democrats are lukewarm at best about her return to state leadership.
Could Trump Ally Richard Grenell Step In?
On the Republican side, momentum may be building. Trump’s former Ambassador Richard Grenell has said he “may not be able to resist” running if Harris enters—potentially setting the stage for a high-stakes red vs. blue showdown in 2026.
While the mainstream media assumes California will stay Democrat, conservative voters know better: with Democrats this divided, anything can happen.
Bottom Line: Harris Leads—but Her Candidacy Could Ignite a Political Firestorm
With a wide-open field, voter hesitation, and growing dissatisfaction with Democrat leadership, California’s 2026 governor’s race could become ground zero for a major political shift.
As Harris weighs her future, both sides are watching closely. Because one thing’s for sure—this isn’t the coronation Democrats hoped for. It’s a battle they may not be ready for.