Particle.news
Download on the App Store
6 ARTICLES
·
2h ago

California Governor’s Race Remains Unsettled as Padilla Considers Bid and Newsom Climbs in 2028 Polls

Fresh polling shows many voters remain uncommitted, with Katie Porter edging the field among those who state a preference.

California Governor Gavin Newsom attends a bill signing event in Sacramento on August 21, 2025.
Image
Image

Overview

  • UC Berkeley/Los Angeles Times polling conducted Aug. 11–17 finds roughly 38% of registered voters undecided for 2026, with Katie Porter at 17% among those expressing a choice.
  • Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco is the only Republican registering double digits in that survey at 10%, while other declared and potential candidates cluster in single digits.
  • Politico reporting, echoed by ABC7 and CalMatters, says Sen. Alex Padilla is weighing a gubernatorial run, a move his office has not confirmed while pointing to work on Proposition 50.
  • A new Morning Consult survey of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents (Aug. 22–24) shows Gavin Newsom rising to 19% in hypothetical 2028 primary support as Kamala Harris dips to 29%.
  • The Berkeley/LA Times poll also finds greater enthusiasm in California for a potential Newsom presidential bid than for Harris, and a majority of voters say Harris should not run again.