Former vice president Kamala Harris attended the Department of Defense Commander in Chief farewell ceremony, finding herself in Arlington, Va., an event held on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. This appearance marked a low point in her political career, markedly the cataclysmic loss in the 2024 elections to Donald Trump. Harris, it seems, isn’t her political party’s darling anymore. A recent poll from a progressive surveying firm suggests her hold over the Democratic base is slipping away.
In a chilling revelation for Harris, the poll revealed that a mere 35% of likely voters believed her gubernatorial run in California would be a positive development. The unpopularity far-removed from her past status as the state’s attorney general and a US senator. Unsurprisingly, her losing streak seems far from over. If she has any hopes to run for governor, she’ll undoubtedly face a grueling uphill battle.
Meanwhile, within the Democratic Party, other, perhaps more competent, figures are rising on the political scene. For instance, former Democratic U.S. House Member, Katie Porter, announced on Tuesday her intention to enter the 2026 California gubernatorial race. The sprawling list of candidates seems undeterred by the potential threat of Harris joining their ranks.
Porter, attaining noticeable online popularity with her stern questioning of corporate heads in congressional hearings, plans to confront Trump’s administration. She seeks to tackle issues ranging from water management to immigrant rights where the Democratic-dominated state has faced significant opposition from the White House. She publicly affirmed her commitment with a sharp message in a campaign debut video.
The race to seat a fitting replacement for Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is under the spotlight. With big political shoes to fill, the competition heats up. Information abounds on ambitious candidates that might reconfigure the race if Harris chooses to reclaim her Californian political throne. However, if the unfavorable poll results remain steadfast, Harris may need to reconsider.
Harris’s political track in California is not entirely forgotten, though it is far overshadowed by her failure at the national level. Once serving as the state attorney general and a U.S. senator, she has shown a wavering commitment to her political ambitions. Despite the calamitous presidential defeat, she has kept her options open for the California governorship, indicative of her struggle to find a fitting public office.
The battle for the Governorship seems a bumpy ride for Harris, just as her unsuccessful presidential bid was. The competition only intensifies with Katie Porter’s introduction into the scene, a competent figure flirting with Harris’s former vice-presidential echelon. While friendly with Harris, Porter has insinuated she won’t hesitate to elbow her out if the former vice president decides to step into the ring.
Indeed, Porter’s association with Harris dates back to 2012, during Harris’s tenure as California’s attorney general. Harris appointed Porter as the state’s independent bank monitor in a noteworthy multibillion-dollar nationwide mortgage settlement. Regardless of this shared history, it’s clear that Porter will assert her candidacy firmly, not being daunted by the potential usurper’s specter.
Nevertheless, some optimistic or perhaps misguided voices in the political field suggest that if Harris decides to run, few would dare to challenge her. This viewpoint was emphasized by Claremont McKenna College political scientist, Jack Pitney, who told The Associated Press, ‘She’d be likely to win the Democratic nomination, and Democrats are likely to win the governorship.’
Sadly, the predictive value of Pitney’s statement is questionable. As the figures show, a significant number of Democrats in the state are skeptical about the idea of Harris running for governor. The mere 35% approval rate reflects the hard-fought battle that awaits Harris if she decides to put her hat in the ring.
If she does decide to run, Harris will be subjected to serious scrutiny given her recent political history and the roles she has held. Her controversial stances, coupled with her inability to secure the presidency, contribute to her decreasing popularity. There’s even the possibility she will falter in the Democratic nomination, casting doubt on Pitney’s optimistic hypothesis.
Looking back at her political voyage from the position of state attorney general, U.S. senator, vice president, to a failed presidential candidate, Harris’s star seems to be fading. Stepping into a gubernatorial race with low approval ratings could potentially seal this undesired fate off. That said, the ballot box can be unpredictable, as many politicians have learned.
As things stand, the former vice president has an uphill battle if she decides to throw her hat in the California gubernatorial race. The recent polls point to a challenging path ahead. It seems that for Harris, her political journey might continue to be a losing battle, but only time will tell for certain.
Her desire to step back into the political arena despite blunders and a declining approval rating might prove poor judgment on her part. In a fiercely competitive and crowded field, Harris would do well to consider her options carefully before deciding to join the race. For now, all eyes are on the California gubernatorial race, and Harris’s potential entry or avoidance of it.
Harris’s choice to run or not run could make the difference between her continued political career or her further decline. The prospect of another loss in such a key position could seal her fate for good. As such, it’s vital for Harris to take these recent findings into account before irresolutely pursuing another ambitious political position.
The political landscape of California is poised on the brink of change. Considerable speculation surrounds potential nominations, and the uncertainty of Harris’s participation only fuels the anticipation. Will the Democratic Party yet again bear the burden of Harris’s political ambitions? One wonders whether Harris’s candidacy, if it comes to pass, will prove detrimental for the state in the long run.