There seems to be a lack of enthusiasm among Californians regarding former Vice President Kamala Harris.

A significant number of influential figures in California’s policy landscape have expressed doubts about Harris’s prospects for a gubernatorial run in 2026, when current Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom will be ineligible to seek re-election due to term limits.

A survey conducted by Politico in collaboration with UC Berkeley’s Citrin Center revealed that 36% of participants felt “indifferent” about the possibility of Harris running, while 22% were “mostly excited,” 20% expressed “irritation,” and 4% were “outraged.”

The respondents included state and federal lawmakers, staff members, and subscribers to Politico’s various news platforms, such as California Playbook, POLITICO Pro in California, and California Climate. The findings indicated that registered voters showed more enthusiasm for the former San Francisco district attorney, senator, and vice president potentially taking office in Sacramento.

Among Democratic voters, 41% indicated they would be “most excited” if Harris, aged 60, decided to run, while 33% expressed they would be “joyful,” and nearly a quarter remained indifferent.

Responses from minority voters varied, with 35% stating they would be “joyful” if Harris pursued a candidacy, and 38% indicating they would be “mostly excited.” Conversely, 19% of Latino voters expressed feelings of “hopelessness” regarding Harris’s potential run, while 19% of Asian voters reported being “irritated” by the idea, according to the poll. Harris has maintained a low profile and refrained from discussing her political ambitions since President Donald Trump announced her electoral victory last November. Nevertheless, she is widely believed to be contemplating a run for governor in 2026 or for president in 2028.

The overall lack of enthusiasm is not particularly surprising, according to Jack Citrin, a veteran political science professor at UC Berkeley. He noted that Harris is still grappling with the disappointment of her “heartbreaking” defeat in the 2024 presidential election while contemplating her next steps. “These individuals are not prone to euphoria,” Citrin remarked when discussing voter sentiments.Harris made a surprising appearance at a leadership summit for Black women in California on Thursday, providing insight into her political aspirations following her defeat to President Trump in the 2024 election.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Harris stated during her nearly eight-minute address at the Leading Women Defined event, according to The Hill.

Kamala Harris, who served as California’s U.S. Senator from 2017 until she became vice president under former President Biden in 2021, is widely speculated to be contemplating a gubernatorial run in 2026. A formal announcement is anticipated by the end of summer.

Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, another ex-official from the Biden administration, officially launched his campaign for governor on Wednesday. Early polling indicates that if Harris decides to enter the race, she would likely emerge as the leading Democratic candidate. A February poll conducted by Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics/The Hill revealed that she commands nearly 60 percent support among likely primary voters.

Thus far, Harris has refrained from directly addressing her intentions regarding a bid to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom (D), who is ineligible to run for another term due to term limits.

While she did not mention the president by name during her rare public speech, Harris spoke about the perceived “fear” experienced in “these last few months in our country.”

“There were many things that we knew would happen, many things,” Harris remarked, referencing her presidential campaign.

“I’m not here to say, ‘I told you so,’” she added with a smile as the audience responded with applause. “I promised I wouldn’t say that.”