New Polls Show Gavin Newsom Continues To Trail Kamala Harris In 2028 Democratic Race

California Gov. Gavin Newsom continues to lag behind former Vice President Kamala Harris in early polling for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, despite years of speculation that he would emerge as one of the party’s leading contenders. A series of recent surveys shows Harris maintaining an advantage over the California governor in head-to-head support among Democratic voters.

According to the latest polling averages highlighted Tuesday, Harris has consistently outperformed Newsom in national Democratic primary surveys conducted throughout 2026. While support levels vary from poll to poll, Harris has generally maintained a comfortable lead, with Newsom unable to close the gap despite his high national profile and extensive media appearances.

Newsom entered 2026 viewed by many political observers as a potential front-runner after serving as one of the Democratic Party’s most visible critics of President Trump. However, his standing has remained relatively stagnant as Democratic voters continue to give Harris the strongest level of support among the party’s prospective candidates.

The polling also suggests that the Democratic field remains highly fluid, with several other prominent figures competing for support. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have all appeared in various national and early-state surveys, though none have consistently surpassed Harris.

Neither Harris nor Newsom has officially announced a 2028 presidential campaign, but both continue to be widely viewed as potential candidates. The latest numbers indicate Harris begins any prospective primary contest with a significant advantage, while Newsom faces the challenge of improving his standing if he ultimately decides to seek the Democratic nomination.