California's political landscape just delivered a cold splash of reality to Kamala Harris. A recent poll shows a majority of the state's Democrats aren't keen on seeing her name on another White House ballot.

According to Daily Caller, a UC Berkeley/Los Angeles Times survey revealed that 51% of California Democrats believe Harris should sit out a 2028 presidential run after her unsuccessful attempts in 2020 and 2024. This comes as a stark contrast to the 45% of registered voters who expressed enthusiasm for Gov. Gavin Newsom as a potential candidate, while only 36% felt the same about Harris.

The poll's director, Mark DiCamillo, didn’t mince words when he noted, “She lost, which is always a negative when you’re trying to run again.” That blunt assessment cuts to the heart of a deeper issue: repeated losses don’t inspire confidence, even among party loyalists who might otherwise champion a familiar face. Harris stepping away from the 2026 gubernatorial race only fuels speculation about her national ambitions, but the numbers suggest she’s fighting an uphill battle for relevance.

Shifting Tides in California’s Political Preferences

The survey of 4,950 registered voters, conducted online in English and Spanish from Aug. 11 to 17, paints a picture of disillusionment with Harris. With nearly two-thirds of all California voters opposing another presidential bid, it’s clear her political capital in her home state has taken a hit.

Contrast that with Newsom, who seems to be capturing more excitement as a potential 2028 contender. A separate Politico-Citrin Center-Possibility Lab poll from Aug. 20 even found California Democrats favoring Newsom over Harris in a hypothetical primary matchup, signaling a preference for fresh energy over past performance.

DiCamillo’s observation that “most Californians don’t really think she should run for president” after bowing out of the governor’s race isn’t just a statistic, it’s a warning. If Harris can’t rally her base in a state as reliably blue as California, her path forward looks narrower than a San Francisco alley. The question isn’t just about her next move, but whether she has a viable one at all.

Gubernatorial Race Reflects Wider Uncertainty

Turning to the 2026 gubernatorial race, the poll shows California voters are far from settled on a frontrunner. Nearly 4 in 10 registered voters admitted uncertainty about who they’d support, with former Rep. Katie Porter leading at 17%, followed by Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco at 10%.

When asked for first or second choices, Porter climbed to 22%, former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra hit 18%, Bianco secured 15%, and former Fox News host Steve Hilton garnered 12%. DiCamillo described the race as “very unsettled,” pointing out that most voters remain undecided and unfamiliar with the candidates.

“It’s pretty wide-open,” DiCamillo added, highlighting how even second-choice preferences show a tight bunching of contenders. With California’s all-party primary system pushing the top two candidates to the general election regardless of affiliation, this race could defy predictable partisan lines and offer surprises.

Democratic Leadership Faces Skepticism

Harris’s decision in late July to skip the gubernatorial race has only intensified speculation about her eyeing 2028, but the lack of enthusiasm from her party’s base is hard to ignore. Even prominent voices seem reluctant to endorse another run, with Democratic Sen. Chris Coons dodging a direct question about supporting Harris for a third presidential bid during a Fox News interview on July 30.

Radio host Charlamagne tha God also appeared less than thrilled about the idea of Harris running again, showing tepid support during a July 31 episode of “The Breakfast Club.” This lukewarm reception from cultural and political figures alike suggests Harris’s star power might be dimming, even among those who once saw her as a trailblazer.

The broader sentiment seems to question whether Harris represents the future of the Democratic Party or a chapter best closed. Her office’s silence on the poll results, as noted by the Daily Caller, doesn’t exactly scream confidence or a counter-narrative to shift the conversation.

A Crossroads for Harris and California Democrats

As California Democrats grapple with their preferences, the poll’s margin of error of 2 percentage points reminds us these numbers aren’t set in stone, but they are a snapshot of real discontent. Harris’s two failed White House runs appear to have left a lasting dent in her appeal, and without a clear pivot, she risks becoming a political footnote.

Meanwhile, the state’s voters are looking elsewhere, whether it’s Newsom for president or a scattered field for governor, signaling a hunger for new direction over recycled names. The Democratic establishment might want to take note: loyalty to past figures won’t automatically translate to future votes when the electorate craves something different.

In the end, Harris faces a steep climb if she’s serious about another national campaign, and California’s message seems clear: it’s time to step back and let others take the stage. For a party often accused of clinging to progressive icons past their prime, this poll is a quiet but firm nudge to rethink who carries the torch forward.