Former Vice President Kamala Harris is eyeing California’s gubernatorial seat, and a recent poll suggests she’s got a head start. A University of California, Irvine survey from late May to early June shows her trouncing a generic Republican opponent with 41% support to their 29%, as Breitbart reports. But with 40% of voters still scratching their heads over specific candidates, the race is far from locked.
The poll, conducted by UC Irvine’s School of Social Ecology, reveals Harris as the frontrunner to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom. It surveyed over 4,000 California adults across two samples, one from May 27 to June 2 and another from May 29 to June 4. Harris’s lead, while notable, comes with a progressive agenda that many voters might find hard to swallow.
Against a nameless Republican, Harris commands a 12-point edge. Yet, 14% of respondents said they’d sit out the election entirely, and 16% couldn’t pick a side. This indecision hints at an electorate wary of her San Francisco-style liberalism taking over Sacramento.
Harris’s potential run isn’t just idle chatter; sources say she’s mulling it over with a decision deadline by summer’s end. A February survey by Emerson College Polling already pegged her as the top Democratic Party contender. Her progressive track record, though, could alienate moderates who crave practical governance over woke rhetoric.
When pitted against specific candidates, Harris’s support drops to 24%. That’s still enough to lead, but it’s a far cry from a mandate. The poll’s 40% “not sure yet” crowd suggests voters aren’t sold on her or anyone else just yet.
Billionaire developer Rick Caruso, fresh off his 2022 Los Angeles mayoral loss to Karen Bass, pulls in 9% support. His business-savvy pitch might resonate with voters tired of career politicians. But his low numbers show he’s got a steep climb ahead.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, who threw his hat in the ring in February, scraped by with 4% support. His law-and-order stance could appeal to conservatives, but he’s barely registering in the poll. It’s a sign the GOP needs a stronger contender to counter Harris’s name recognition.
Former Rep. Katie Porter, known for her whiteboard theatrics, garners 6% support. Her progressive bona fides might split the liberal vote with Harris. But with only 6% backing, she’s more of a sideshow than a serious threat.
Trump administration special envoy Richard Grenell is teasing a run, but only if Harris jumps in. His potential candidacy could shake up the race, bringing a Trump-aligned fighter to the field. For now, he’s just a wildcard waiting in the wings.
The poll’s most glaring takeaway is the indecision: 40% of voters aren’t sold on any candidate. This uncertainty could spell trouble for Harris, whose progressive policies might not survive scrutiny in a state craving solutions over ideology. The GOP, if it can field a competent candidate, has an opening.
Fully 6% of respondents flat-out refuse to vote in the specific candidate matchup. That’s a small but telling group fed up with the options. It’s a reminder that Californians are desperate for leadership that doesn’t pander to the loudest activists.
Harris’s 24% against named opponents shows her lead is soft. Her baggage -- decades of pushing divisive policies -- could weigh her down as voters dig deeper. A less woke alternative might siphon off her support.
The U.C. Irvine poll paints a picture of a state at a crossroads. Harris’s early lead reflects her name recognition, not a love for her progressive playbook. Voters seem open to alternatives, if only someone steps up.
Caruso’s 9% and Bianco’s 4% show the GOP and independents have room to grow. A candidate who rejects both Harris’s left-wing orthodoxy and Sacramento’s status quo could gain traction. The question is whether such a figure will emerge by summer’s end.
With 40% of voters still on the fence, California’s gubernatorial race is wide open. Harris may be ahead, but her lead feels more like a mirage than a mandate. As she ponders her run, the state’s voters are hungering for something -- or -- something different.
