Kamala’s California Comeback? Conservatives Eye Opportunity

The latest polling out of California has liberals buzzing and conservatives shaking their heads—Kamala Harris, fresh off her embarrassing defeat in the 2024 presidential run, is leading the pack in early numbers for the 2026 California governor’s race. Before we all collectively groan at the thought of Harris back in power, it’s crucial we unpack what this actually means for the conservative movement, and for California—a state that, despite its left-wing reputation, is not beyond hope.

According to recent data from the University of California, Irvine’s School of Social Ecology, Harris currently commands a double-digit lead over other declared and potential gubernatorial candidates. With 24 percent support, she towers over her nearest competitor, businessman Rick Caruso, who trails at just 9 percent. On the surface, these numbers might seem daunting. But dig a little deeper, and a more nuanced picture emerges—one that gives conservatives reason for measured optimism.

First, let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room: 40 percent of Californians remain undecided, a substantial portion of the electorate Harris has yet to win over. Despite years in the national spotlight, Harris has failed to build a convincing enough brand to secure even a quarter of voters outright. Her favorability stands at a modest net positive 11 percent—hardly the overwhelming endorsement the liberal media would have us believe. These numbers show plenty of room for a strong conservative challenger to make headway, provided they’re bold enough to challenge the status quo.

And here’s the reality: California desperately needs that bold challenger. Under progressive leadership, the Golden State has spiraled into chaos. Rampant homelessness, deteriorating infrastructure, skyrocketing crime rates, and crushing taxes have become the new normal for millions of Californians. Harris herself, as both senator and state attorney general, did nothing to halt this decline. Instead, she championed policies that exacerbated the very crises Californians now face—soft-on-crime initiatives, reckless spending, and burdensome regulations that have driven businesses and families out of state.

Vice President Harris, who is considering a run for governor in California, holds a double-digit lead over a hypothetical 2026 gubernatorial field, new polling shows.

If conservatives want to reclaim California, the time to act is now. Harris, despite her current polling advantage, remains vulnerable—her disastrous tenure as vice president and failed presidential campaign have left her politically wounded. Californians, even those on the left, are increasingly recognizing the disastrous consequences of policies Harris embodies—radical leftism disguised as compassionate governance.

Take note: when Harris is pitted against a generic Republican candidate, her support jumps to 41 percent against 29 percent, indicating a clear, but far from insurmountable, advantage. This gap underscores the urgency of nominating a compelling, conservative candidate who can clearly articulate a vision for California’s revival—a candidate who can speak convincingly about restoring safety to California’s streets, revitalizing the state’s economy through pro-business policies, and returning educational control to parents and local communities.

The good news is this: the conservative message resonates when articulated clearly and unapologetically. Recent elections in traditionally left-leaning areas have shown voters increasingly fed up with liberal incompetence on crime, education, and the economy. California conservatives must lean into these issues forcefully, presenting themselves not merely as an alternative, but as the only viable solution to the progressive decay that Kamala Harris represents.

Moreover, Harris’s looming gubernatorial decision has frozen the Democratic field, keeping potential rivals like Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and former Rep. Katie Porter at bay. This hesitation among Democrats provides conservatives with a valuable opportunity to define the race early, setting the narrative before liberals even get off the ground.

Ultimately, Harris’s early polling lead is not a sign of inevitable defeat, but rather a call to action—a clarion wake-up call for conservatives across the state and nation. California is not lost unless we surrender it, and Kamala Harris’s potential candidacy should galvanize our resolve. It’s time for conservative leadership to step forward boldly, reclaiming California’s potential and rewriting its future—not merely to defeat Harris, but to restore the greatness of a state that once led America in innovation, prosperity, and opportunity.