Rumors suggest the path to the White House in 2028 for Kamala Harris might wind through the California governor’s office. A recent poll reveals that should former Vice President Harris elect to compete in the California gubernatorial race in 2026, she would be favored to win. The poll, run by reputable sources like Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics/The Hill, shows that 57 percent of California voters would back Harris if the election were held today. Still, one has to wonder if this is actually indicative of her leadership potential or simply a reflection of the state’s overwhelmingly Democratic base.
Behind Harris, support for other potential gubernatorial candidates languishes in single digits. A surprising revelation is that Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass currently polls lower than most. This observation makes one wonder why Californians might favor a former vice president whose tenure was mired in controversy over a seasoned local politician.
Emerson College Polling’s director, Spencer Kimball, outlined Harris’s support demographics. He notes that backing for Harris remains strong among women (60 percent), Hispanic (61 percent), and Black voters (64 percent), a clear sign she maintains a hold on these groups well known for their Democratic allegiance. Yet, it begs the question what has Harris truly done for these communities?
For long, California Attorney General Rob Bonta appeared set on the governor’s mansion. Yet, in a move that left many scratching their heads, he elected to seek reelection as attorney general and is now endorsing Harris for the governor’s post. His words of support, like ‘Kamala Harris would make an excellent governor… I’ve always supported her,’ raise eyebrows regarding the political moves afoot in California.
Harris’s possible entry into the gubernatorial race suggests one of two possibilities – she desires a comforting refuge after her defeating stint as VP and hopes to revamp her image not as a failed vice president, but as a resilient woman governing the union’s largest state. Alternatively, it may be a calculated strategic move, a lifeline to keep herself relevant and prepared for another shot at the presidency in 2028.
For those gearing up for the 2028 Democratic presidential primaries, the true race could effectively begin with the 2026 Californian gubernatorial race. If Harris indeed clinches the governorship, it might push her one step closer to the front line of the 2028 Democratic presidential nominees.
Would this be cause for celebration or a sigh of resignation among the Democrats? If Kamala Harris helmed the Golden State, she would, in effect, be seen as having won the first round of the 2028 Democratic presidential primary. This would, yet again, raise an expectant eyebrow or two among her party members, leaving them to mutter, ‘Wait, what happened?’
Perhaps, all roads lead back to the same quandary. Do the Democrats of California genuinely desire Kamala Harris to be the torchbearer for the party’s presidential nomination in 2028? Even after a less than stellar performance in the Biden-Harris administration, would they be willing to forgive, forget, and forge ahead with Harris? Only time will tell.
It is worrisome to think of what endorsing Harris again for a presidential run could mean for the Democrats. Given recent memories of a tumultuous term, it’s possible that her controversies could once again play center stage rather than the party’s goals and the needs of the American people.
What’s clear is that Harris’s return to the political limelight might be more about a personal desire to rehabilitate her image than a genuine effort to serve the diverse and complex needs of the Californian population. This instance mirrors the typical political maneuvering often criticized by the public.
If the Californians elect her as governor and she takes it a step further to contest the 2028 presidential race, the nation may have to brace for more of the same uninspiring leadership we saw during her vice-presidential tenure. Winning a post or election victory cannot erase past performance.
One imagines a scenario where a Harris governorship could potentially shadow the path to a brighter future for Californians, given her track record. Unfortunately, voters often have little recourse against the political machines of high-profile party members guiding their state’s future.
In conclusion, assuming Harris’s path to course-correcting her political legacy runs through California’s Governor Office to a renewed crack at the presidency, it is likely to be met with skepticism by many. However, the acceptance of this by the Democratic party may simply underscore the current reality – popularity and personal ambition sometimes take precedence over proven ability and true public service.