California Insiders Show Little Enthusiasm for Kamala Harris’s Potential Gubernatorial Bid

So, you lose the big election, what’s next? If you’re Kamala Harris, maybe it’s a run for Governor back home. Makes sense… sort of. After a bruising loss in the 2024 presidential contest, Harris finds herself at a political crossroads. Whispers have surfaced about a potential return to her home state politics, specifically eyeing the California governor’s mansion in 2026 when Gavin Newsom terms out. For decades, California has been seen as a reliable launchpad for national Democratic ambitions – or at least, it used to be.

Harris, a former District Attorney, state Attorney General, and U.S. Senator from the Golden State, would seem a natural fit on paper. She has maintained that she will “stay in the fight” – against what, exactly? Reality? – and recently took to social media to rally resistance against President Donald Trump’s agenda, specifically referencing “Project 2025.” She even assured followers, “I’m not going anywhere.” We’ll see about that.

But beneath the surface of these pronouncements, a different story is emerging from the very state she once represented. Now, you’d think California would roll out the red carpet, right? I mean, it’s her state. Well, maybe pump the brakes on that assumption. The question isn’t just if Harris will run, but whether the appetite exists for her return, even among those who supposedly share her political leanings. A recent survey suggests the enthusiasm gap is wider than many might assume…

The core finding comes from a Politico/UC Berkeley Citrin Center poll, which surveyed not just registered voters but also a select group of California “policy influencers” – the lawmakers, staffers, and political insiders who supposedly shape the state’s direction. Their reaction to a potential Harris gubernatorial run was telling, marked not by excitement, but by a stunning lack of interest.

From ‘Fox News’:

Thirty-six percent of the policy influencers said they felt “indifferent” about Harris running for governor. Just 4% said they would be outraged, 22% said they were “mostly excited” and 20% said they were irritated by the potential gubernatorial bid.

Thirty-six percent “indifferent.” Not outraged, not thrilled, just… indifferent. That’s got to sting, especially for someone who was just Vice President. It speaks volumes.

Even Insiders Yawn at Harris Return

That nearly four in ten of California’s political movers and shakers – the very people who operate within the state’s Democrat-dominated system – responded with simple indifference is frankly remarkable. Doesn’t exactly scream “popular demand,” now does it? These aren’t casual observers; they are the individuals Harris would need to court and energize. Their collective shrug suggests a weariness with her political brand or perhaps a quiet acknowledgment of the perceived lack of accomplishments during her time in Washington. While a fifth expressed irritation, the dominant feeling was simple apathy – a damning verdict.

Though registered Democrats showed more predictable support (41% “most excited,” per the NY Post’s reporting on the same poll – gotta keep the base happy, I guess), the numbers among other crucial groups paint a much bleaker picture. And forget the party faithful – look at the Independents. “Hopeless” and “irritated.” Tells you something, doesn’t it? This suggests her appeal doesn’t easily extend beyond those already drinking the Kool-Aid.

Even more troubling were the results among key minority demographics. While Black voters remained largely supportive, 19% of Latino voters expressed feeling “hopeless” about a potential Harris run, and 18% of Asian voters felt “irritated.” This erosion of support within traditionally Democratic-leaning groups cannot be easily dismissed. As UC Berkeley political science professor Jack Citrin basically said, even the experts see the writing on the wall – these voters are noticing the shift towards common sense, like they did with Trump.

Defiance Meets Reality

This lukewarm reception stands in stark contrast to Harris’s attempts to project leadership and defiance online. She’s posting defiant clips and tweeting about “Project 2025,” but the polls paint a picture of… well, meh. Who are you going to believe, her Twitter feed or the actual people in California? It seems the rhetoric of resistance isn’t enough to overcome voter skepticism rooted in past performance and future concerns.

Ultimately, the poll reveals more than just potential hurdles for one politician’s ambition. It signals a potential crack in the Democrats’ supposed fortress of California, where even a former Vice President with deep state roots struggles to ignite passion. The indifference from insiders and the negative sentiments from crucial voter blocs suggest a deeper dissatisfaction, perhaps with the results of progressive policies or a yearning for actual leadership. Maybe “not going anywhere” wasn’t the power move she thought it was, especially if nobody’s excited about where she might land.

Sources: Fox News, The New York Post