A new POLITICO‑Citrin Center‑Possibility Lab survey shows California Democrats and Democratic‑leaning independents prefer Gov. Gavin Newsom over former Vice President Kamala Harris in a hypothetical 2028 presidential primary, with Newsom leading 25% to 19%.

The poll, conducted from July 28 to Aug. 12, surveyed 1,445 registered Democratic and Democratic‑leaning independent voters and found that 75% of respondents said they were “excited” about the possibility of Newsom running, compared with 67% for Harris.

Trailing the two Californians were Pete Buttigieg at 13 % and Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez at 10%. In a separate survey of roughly 400 “policy influencers,” support was markedly lower: just 14% back Newsom and 2% Harris, with Buttigieg leading at 19%.

Political scientists note a contrast between public enthusiasm for Newsom’s visible activism against former President Donald Trump and declining confidence in Harris, whose post‑2024 campaign footprint has waned. The poll underscores potential challenges for both figures heading into the early stages of the 2028 contest.

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