Former Democratic Rep. Katie Porter is emerging as an early frontrunner in California’s 2026 gubernatorial race, thanks in part to a growing number of Kamala Harris supporters flocking to her campaign after the Vice President confirmed she would not enter the race.
According to a new Politico-Citrin Center-Possibility Lab poll released Thursday, 30% of voters who would have backed Harris are now pivoting to Porter, giving her a significant edge over other prominent Democratic contenders.
Porter Leads the Democratic Pack
In a head-to-head comparison, Porter leads the field with 21% support among California Democrats. Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and ex-Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa trail far behind, tied at 9% each.
“Porter’s gains from Harris are probably a combination of just being better known and having a clear ideological stamp,” said UC Berkeley political scientist Jack Citrin, who helped conduct the poll. “She has a particular progressive stamp — more than the other two guys — and I think that’s part of her appeal.”
The poll surveyed 875 registered voters, including 367 Democrats, and had a modeled margin of error of ±2.6%. Conducted in both English and Spanish, the survey oversampled Hispanic voters and captured attitudes between July 30 and August 11.
Harris Steps Aside, Porter Steps Up
Rumors had circulated earlier this year that former Vice President Kamala Harris was considering a run for governor after Governor Gavin Newsom is term-limited out in 2026. However, Harris officially announced in July that she would not be entering the race.
That decision left a vacuum among Democratic voters — one Porter has rapidly moved to fill.
A Bumpy Road to the Spotlight
While Porter has cultivated a strong base among progressives — earning national attention for her whiteboard confrontations with CEOs in congressional hearings — her political journey hasn’t been without controversy.
- In the 2024 Senate race, she placed a distant third behind Sen. Adam Schiff, despite raising over $28 million. Following the loss, she controversially suggested the primary was rigged by billionaire donors.
- She also faced allegations of toxic behavior from former staffers, including anonymous claims of explosive outbursts and racially insensitive remarks. On The View in April 2023, Porter defended herself, arguing that so-called “bad boss” labels are disproportionately applied to women and people of color.
Despite these setbacks, Porter has proven to be a fundraising powerhouse. According to a Politico report on Aug. 1, she has outraised all her gubernatorial competitors, pulling in $3 million between March and June 2025.
Who’s Left in the Field?
With Harris out of the race, the Democratic field remains open but fragmented:
- Xavier Becerra, a former state attorney general and HHS secretary under Biden, has name recognition but limited grassroots enthusiasm.
- Antonio Villaraigosa, once seen as a rising star in California politics, has struggled to reassert himself since leaving office in 2013.
- Several other Democrats are rumored to be mulling bids but have yet to officially enter.
While no major Republican has announced a run, insiders expect at least one high-profile conservative — possibly a business leader or law enforcement figure — to enter the fray as the race heats up.
What’s Next
California’s gubernatorial race is still in its early stages, but Porter’s clear lead among Harris’s base and early fundraising success position her as a serious contender — particularly among the progressive left.
The challenge ahead will be expanding her appeal beyond her core base, navigating past controversies, and withstanding what is expected to be a bruising primary.
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The useful idjits who vote dim in CA continue to do so. They do the same thing and hope for different results. The definition of insanity. The people who would vote differently have given up and left the state. So, no hope left there.
The Democrats have the worst candidates.
Without considerable fraud, I wonder how they ever get elected?
Your article mentions that no Republican has entered the race for governor of California, what about Steve Hilton.