
As Vice President Kamala Harris gears up for the 2024 presidential race, her California roots might be more of a liability than an asset, according to a recent Cygnal poll.
The poll asked voters if they believed “the United States as a whole would be better off or worse off if its policies were more like California,” Harris’ home state. The results were stark: 52.4% said the U.S. would be “worse off,” while only 27.5% said “better off.”
This sentiment crossed party lines. Only Democrats and Biden 2020 voters showed a plurality supporting California-style policies. Even among urban respondents, only 40% thought adopting California’s approach would be beneficial.
Political analyst Tom Smith sees this as a significant hurdle for Harris. “California is often seen as a testing ground for progressive policies,” he explained. “If voters are rejecting these ideas nationally, Harris may struggle to sell her vision for America.”
The poll’s findings align with Harris’ challenges on specific issues. She trails Trump on economic concerns, crime, and immigration — all areas where California has faced criticism.
John Doe, a voter from Michigan, expressed a common sentiment: “We’ve seen the problems in California — high taxes, homelessness, strict regulations. Why would we want that for the whole country?”
This anti-California sentiment could pose a particular challenge in swing states, where voters tend to be more moderate.
As Harris crafts her campaign message, she’ll need to find a way to distance herself from some of California’s less popular policies while still appealing to her base.
The coming months will show whether Harris can convince voters that her vision for America is more than just California writ large. If not, she may find that her Golden State background is more of an albatross than a golden ticket.