Kamala Harris Leads in California Governor Race Polls Amid Speculation

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Former Vice President Kamala Harris is currently leading in polls for the California governor race, with a significant margin over other potential candidates. According to a recent Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics/The Hill survey, Harris has 57% support, six times better than former congresswoman Katie Porter, who has 9% support. The rest of the pack includes Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis and former Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, both with 4% support, while 17% of the electorate is undecided. This early polling suggests that Harris would be a formidable frontrunner should she join the field, but the question remains whether she is the right person for the job.

The idea of Harris running for governor is not uncharted political waters for California, as former Vice President Richard Nixon ran for governor in 1962, fresh off a presidential defeat. However, Nixon took on a sitting Democratic governor and lost, making for an inglorious press conference the morning after the election. In contrast, a Harris gubernatorial candidacy would likely be a departure from California elections past, with a gubernatorial primary potentially lacking competition for first place. Looking back at the last open gubernatorial contest in California, a poll showed Gavin Newsom with a two-to-one lead over Villaraigosa, but more likely voters were undecided than they were pro-Newsom at the time.

As Harris considers her next move, there are concerns about her work ethic and staff loyalty. During her time as vice president, staffers familiar with her professional habits went public with complaints about her not reading her briefings and then berating staff when she came across as unprepared. Additionally, her record on staff longevity is troubling, with a 91.5% staff turnover rate, according to the website Open the Books. This raises questions about her ability to effectively govern California, given the demands of the job and the need for policy expertise. Despite these concerns, there is always a chance that Harris could learn from her past mistakes and arrive in Sacramento with a workable plan for tackling California's challenges.

As the speculation surrounding Harris's potential gubernatorial candidacy continues, it is essential to consider the implications of her running for governor on her potential future presidential ambitions. If Harris were to become governor, she would likely face a complicated path to a presidential run in 2028, given the timing of the California presidential primary and the need to establish herself as a credible candidate. The precedent set by Jerry Brown's presidential candidacy in 1976 may not be applicable in this scenario, and Harris may need to wait until deeper into 2027 to make her intentions known. The following are some key points to consider: * Harris's current lead in the polls for the California governor race * The potential implications of her gubernatorial candidacy on her future presidential ambitions * The concerns surrounding her work ethic and staff loyalty * The need for policy expertise in the role of governor * The potential timeline for Harris's announcement and the impact on the 2028 presidential election.

In conclusion, while Harris is currently leading in polls for the California governor race, there are concerns about her ability to effectively govern the state. As she considers her next move, it is essential to weigh the potential implications of her candidacy and the demands of the job. The people of California deserve a governor who is committed to tackling the state's challenges and has the necessary skills and expertise to do so. Only time will tell if Harris is the right person for the job, but for now, she remains a formidable frontrunner in the race.