A new poll has found that a majority of Americans believe the Democratic Party should look beyond Vice President Kamala Harris as its presidential candidate for the 2028 election.

Rasmussen Reports’ latest survey indicates that 61% of Americans want the Democratic Party to consider other presidential candidates ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2028 race, with 57% of Democrats agreeing, as Breitbart reports.

The survey also suggests Harris could face challenges in a potential run for California governor in 2026 due to divided support, despite her national recognition.

The Rasmussen poll, conducted from Dec. 1 to 3 with a sample of 1,291 likely voters, shows widespread discontent with Harris’s prospects. Among respondents, 61% expressed the view that the Democratic Party should select a new candidate for the 2028 presidential race. This sentiment transcends party lines, with 57% of Democrats, 66% of Republicans, and 60% of unaffiliated voters advocating for a fresh face.

Voter Breakdown: Dissatisfaction Across Party Lines

While the call for a new candidate was clear across the political spectrum, Democrats were somewhat more supportive of Harris than Republicans or independents. 32% of Democrats said they wanted Harris to remain as the Democratic nominee, but that number was significantly lower among Republicans (19%) and independents (20%).

Rasmussen’s findings suggest a deep dissatisfaction with Harris's leadership potential, as 45% of those polled cited the Democratic Party’s detachment from the concerns of most Americans as the primary reason for her perceived lack of success. Another 21% blamed the unpopularity of the Biden administration, while 18% described Harris herself as a “bad candidate.”

Polls Suggest Possible Struggles for Harris in California

The Rasmussen poll also touched on the possibility of Harris running for California governor in 2026. Though she has significant name recognition, her appeal among California voters appears mixed.

A separate poll by the Los Angeles Times and UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies showed Harris could face divided support in the state. While 33% of California voters said they were "very likely" to support her for governor, 36% stated they were "not at all likely" to back her.

Among California Democrats, Harris was more popular, with 54% indicating they were "very likely" to support her candidacy for governor. However, the poll revealed a deep partisan divide, with 84% of Republicans in California saying they would reject her as a candidate for the state’s top office.

Challenges with Partisan and Independent Voters

While Democrats in California showed more support, the state’s partisan makeup presents a significant hurdle for Harris. California has nearly twice as many registered Democrats as Republicans, which means that while her support within the Democratic base could be substantial, she could struggle to secure broader backing from independents and Republicans.

The Echelon Insights poll, conducted before the election, further illustrated Harris’s polarized standing in the potential 2028 Democratic Party field. Harris led the field with 41%, but 59% of respondents expressed a preference for another candidate.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg trailed far behind, with 8%, 7%, and 6% support, respectively.

The Struggle for a Unified Democratic Vision

Despite Harris’s strong national recognition, the ongoing criticism of her candidacy suggests a lack of unified support within the Democratic Party.

According to the Rasmussen poll, 45% of respondents agreed that Harris’s failure could be attributed to the party’s disconnect with average voters. The same percentage also indicated dissatisfaction with her leadership style, emphasizing the need for a fresh approach to the party’s presidential race.

In the lead-up to the 2028 election, Harris’s potential role remains uncertain. While she has received some backing from California Democrats, her ability to unite the party on a national level is still in question.

This division in both her state and across the country signals a larger concern about the future of the Democratic Party and its ability to find a candidate who can unite its base and appeal to a broad cross-section of voters.

Looking Ahead: Will Harris Run?

Harris's options remain open, and despite the mixed support for her in both the presidential race and the California gubernatorial contest, she has made no public statements ruling out either possibility. With the Democratic Party in search of a unifying figure for the 2028 election, it remains to be seen whether Harris can turn the tide of public opinion or whether the party will look elsewhere for its next candidate.

With the 2024 election just concluded and the Democratic Party grappling with questions about its future, Harris’s political path is far from clear. While some Democrats remain hopeful, recent polling signals a growing desire for change -- one that might not include the current vice president.

In conclusion, as the Democratic Party prepares for the 2028 election cycle, Vice President Kamala Harris faces an uphill battle for broad support, not only from voters nationwide but also from her home state of California, where her name recognition could help but is unlikely to guarantee victory.