Early polling data indicates Rep. Katie Porter may run for governor

It’s still two years away, but California’s political focus is shifting to the race that will decide who will succeed Gavin Newsom as governor. A new poll suggests outgoing Congresswoman Katie Porter is leading the field. There are five major declared candidates for governor in 2026 already, as some statewide officeholders and others try to get a head start on the field. They are lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, superintendent of public instruction Tony Thurmond, former state senate president pro tem and assembly speaker Toni Atkins, former state controller Betty Yee and former Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. There are at least half a dozen more who are seriously considering running for governor, including Orange County representative Katie Porter, who gave up her seat to run for senate (a race she lost in the primary to Adam Schiff). Porter’s political action committee just commissioned an internal poll that shows her with 24 percent support, and everyone else in single digits. This internal poll being released to the media indicates that Porter is very seriously considering a run for governor. For more, KCBS Radio political reporter Doug Sovern spoke with Anna Sampaio, professor of ethnic studies at Santa Clara University.