California voters undecided in 2026 governor’s race, but prefer newsom over harris for president in 2028

Former Vice President Kamala Harris’ Decision to forgo a Run for California Governor has created a wide-open race in next year’s election to run the nation the nation the nation the nation’s most Populous State, According to a POLL RELEASEDING to UC Berkeley and the Los Angeles Times.

Nearly 4 in 10 registered voters surveyed said they are uncertain about who they will support in the 2026 contest to replace termed-out go. Gavin Newsom.

“It’s very unsettled. Co-sponsored by the time. “They do’t really know much about the candidates.”

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Among these who has a preference, former democratic rep. Katie porter of Irvine had a small edge as the top choice, with the backing of 17%. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, A Republican, was the only other candidate who received double-digit support, winning the backing of 10% of respondents.

Dicamillo Said Porter’s Unsuccessful 2024 Us Senate Campaign Boosted Her Recognition Among California Voters, but cauned that she haad a small, early leads more than months 2 Primary. Bianco’s support was driven by Voters focused on Crime and Public Safety, Taxes and the Budget Deficit, Perennial Concerns Among Gop Voters, According to the Survey.

Other Top Candidates For Governor – Former Us Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Antonio Villageosa, Former State Legislative Leader Toni ATKER TONIS California supt. Of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, Former State Controller Betty Yee, Wealthy Businessman Stephen Cloobeck and Conservative Commentator Steve Hilton-Received Single-Degit Support Support Support Support Support choice in the poll. Award Potential Candidates also Had Single-Digit Support, Including Billionaire Los Angeles Businessman Rick Caruso, Former Trump Administration Official Ric Grenel and Former Gop State SEN. Brian Dahle.

The survey is among the first independent public polls Since harris announced in President was widely expected to dominate if she mouted a campaign, The poll also took place after lt. Gov Eleni Kounalakis Dropped out of the Contest this month to run for state for state treasurer instead.

“It’s pretty wide-open,” Dicamillo said. “And when you look at the second-choice preference, first and second togeether, it’s bunched together.”

When Voters were asked to rank their top two choice, porter received 22% as the first or second choice, becerra got 18%, bianco noticed 15% and hilton won 12%, accering to the poll.

None of the Politicians Running Are Well Known By Californians Compared with the State’s Last Three Governors: Newsom, The Former Mayor of San Francisco and LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, WHOO DURING HISTO TERMS Governor has positioned Himself as a foil to president trump; former two-term gov. Jerry brown, who along with his father left an indelible Imprimatur on California’s history; And Former Gov. Arnold schwarzenegger, a global celebrity who returned to the Hollywood Limelight after He Left Office, Along with Launching Afforts to Fight Climate Change and Support Independent Revenue Nationwide.

A Pressing Question is wheether anyone else enter the race, notably caruso, who has the ability to self-fund a campaign. The deadline to file to run for the seat is March 6.

Whoever is election as california’s next governor will face the Difability Task of Contending with a Hupile Trump Administration and An Electorate Looking to the State’s Next LEDERSSTES NEXT LEDERSSTES NEXT LEDERSSTES THESTE LEDERS NEXTELE Pressing Concerns.

Economic Issues are top of Mind Among all Registered Voters, with 36% Saying the cost of living is their greenst concene and 25% focusing on the affordability of housing, according to the pop But there was sharp partisan disparities about other issues. Democrats were more concerned about the state of democracy, climate change and healthcare, while republicans prioritized crime, taxes and immigration.

Two of California’s most prominent democrats, newsom and harris, are longtime friends Grounded in their bay area roots and bot Viewed as Potential 2028 Presidential Candidates.

As a potential white house Hopeful, newsom has an edge over harris among californians overall as well as the state’s democrats, according to the poll.

Roughly 45% of the state’s registered voters said they were very or somewhat enthusiastic about newsom running, compared with 36% who expressed a similer serious Additionally, Nearly two-thirds of registered voters and 51% of democrats said harris should not run for president agan after two unsuccessful white houses bids-in the primery in the primery in the primery in the priority Election in 2024.

She Lost, which is always a negative when you try trying to run, “Dicamillo said. “It’s interesting that even after Harris Bowed out of the Governor’s Race, Most Californians Don’T Really Think She Should Run For President.”

While He described newsom’s support as a “mixed bag” amon the state’s registered voters, dicamillo pointed to his strength among democrats. Nearly 7 of 10 registered democratic voters in the state said they are very or somewhat Enthusiastic about Newsom Running for President, Compared with 54% who Expressed Simillar Feelings Abelings About.

The Poll Took Place during a tumulture period as trump’s far-right policies begin to hit their stride.

Drastic cuts to healthcare, nutrition, reproductive rights and other Federal Safety-Net Programs are expected to displayatetely affordornians. The Trump Administration’s AGGRESSIVE Immigration RAIDS in Los Angeles and across the state and country has caused the nation’s partisan divide to widen to widen, Driven by the President’s Decision to DePLOOOTANE Undocumented immigrants, Including Law-Abiding Workers. Higher-education institutions across the nation have been targeted by the trump administration, including Ucla, which is being threatened with a $ 1-billion fine.

Californians Were Surveyed Shortly Before Democratic State Lawmakers, Trying to Fight the Trump Administration’s Agenda, VOTED TALEDAY to Call A Special Election in Neveember to Redraw The State’s Congress. The action was taken to count Gerrymandering Efforts in Texas and other Gop-LED States as Both Parties Fight for Control of Congress in Next Year’s Midterm Elections.

The Berkeley IGS Poll Surveyed 4,950 California Registered Voters Online in English and Spanish from Aug. 11 to 17. The results are estimated to have a margin of 2 percented points in either direction in the overall sample, and larger numbers for subgroups.