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

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