Newsom Leads Harris in 2028 Presidential Polls Amidst Declining Enthusiasm
A new poll shows California Gov. Gavin Newsom with higher excitement levels than Vice President Kamala Harris among California voters, though both face a deficit in enthusiasm.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is generating more excitement for a potential 2028 presidential run than Vice President Kamala Harris, according to a recent poll. However, enthusiasm for both potential candidates has declined since earlier this year.
A survey conducted by the UC Berkeley Citrin Center and POLITICO found that 37% of registered California voters would be excited about a Newsom presidential bid, compared to 28% for Harris. This marks a decrease from a previous survey in February-March, when 48% expressed excitement for Newsom and 41% for Harris.
Despite Newsom’s public statement that he would not run against Harris if she decides to pursue the presidency, the poll indicates a preference for him among Democrats in California. Among registered Democratic voters in the state, 61% expressed excitement for a Newsom candidacy, while 39% said they would not be excited. For Harris, 55% of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters stated they would not be excited about her running for president.
Analysts suggest that Democrats view Newsom as a stronger general election prospect, even if neither candidate is generating widespread enthusiasm. This sentiment is reflected in the poll's findings regarding nomination prospects and general election viability. Forty-nine percent of Democrats believe Newsom has a better chance of securing the Democratic nomination, compared to 10% who favor Harris. In a hypothetical general election matchup, 59% of Democrats think Newsom is more likely to win, while only 9% chose Harris.
Both Newsom, 58, and Harris, 61, have parallel career trajectories in California politics, beginning in San Francisco where Harris served as district attorney while Newsom was mayor. Both later held statewide offices, with Harris becoming California's attorney general and a U.S. senator before becoming vice president, and Newsom serving as lieutenant governor and then governor.
Outside of the Democratic base, excitement for both candidates is significantly lower. Approximately 85% of independent voters and 93% of Republicans surveyed reported not being excited about either Newsom or Harris running in 2028.