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By Daniel Orton
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Former Vice President Kamala Harris is the top choice for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, according to a new poll, amid signs she is ramping up for another run at the White House.
Harris clinched 31.1 percent support in the latest survey by Florida-based polling company Big Data Poll, ahead of California Governor Gavin Newsom (20.3 percent) and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (10 percent).
Newsweek reached out to Harris for comment via an online form on her website.
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Why It Matters
Harris’ prominence in the polling suggests that despite prior challenges, including an underwhelming 2020 campaign, she retains strong visibility and support within the party's base, even as Newsom, a fellow Californian, has polled higher in other surveys.
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What To Know
As part of a wider survey carried out December 10-12, Big Data Poll asked 1,331 voters nationwide: "If the Democratic primary for the presidential nomination was held today, for whom would you vote?"
Harris topped that poll, with Newsom and Buttigieg trailing behind. The other names on the list were Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (6.4 percent), New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (6.3 percent), Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (3.5 percent) and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (3.1 percent).
Harris and Newsom have been jockeying for front-runner status in an array of 2028 polls this year, which—this far out from the next election—should be taken with a generous pinch of salt. Harris leads in five of the eight most recent national polls tracked by aggregator RaceToTheWhiteHouse.com. Newsom, the other three.
In recent days the former vice president, who lost last year's presidential election to President Donald Trump, has fueled speculation she may take another shot at the top job. On December 10, Harris announced she was expanding her book tour next year, and told attendees at a Democratic National Committee (DNC) meeting in Los Angeles on Friday to have a “clear vision for what comes after the midterms and then after Trump.”
"You," shouted one member of the audience, according to multiple reports.
The DNC speech was seen as sharply critical of both major parties and the political status quo.
On Thursday, Harris was honored by the United Farm Workers union, at its annual gala, with the UFW Leadership Award.
Meanwhile, Newsom's surge in the polls—brought on by his trolling of Trump and a successful redistricting push—has made him the man to beat, per Axios, and the knives are out for the West Coast liberal with what rivals see as plenty of baggage.
The Axios report highlighted scandals such as Newsom's affair with a staffer's wife when he was mayor of San Francisco and his attendance at an adviser's birthday dinner at upmarket Napa restaurant The French Laundry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Newsom apologized for both incidents.
What People Are Saying
UFW President Teresa Romero told Axios: "Rank and file UFW members from towns like Bakersfield, Salinas, Oxnard, and Modesto were excited to see [Harris] and know she's still fighting for them."
An adviser to California Governor Gavin Newsom told Axios: "Gavin Newsom and the millions of Democratic volunteers and activists who power our party are squarely focused on winning back the House and stopping Trump in 2026."
What Happens Next
Harris is set to appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live! next week, according to Axios.
Update, 12/15/2025, 7:12 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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