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Kamala for governor? 40 voters talk about ex-VP’s future

As she returns to public life with a speech Wednesday at the Palace Hotel, San Franciscans share their views.

Two people stand in front of a large tree, wearing graphic t-shirts with anime and comic designs. They appear relaxed, with greenery in the background.
Rebecca Irizarry, left, said she wants to learn more about other gubernatorial candidates before backing Kamala Harris. | Source: Minh Connors for The Standard

Kamala Harris is making her return to public life with a speech Wednesday night in a posh San Francisco hotel, as she mulls a run for governor. But while she may have a lot of fans in the city, where she was once district attorney, not everyone is ready to support her.

The keynote address at the anniversary gala for Emerge America, a group that trains Democratic women running for office, is Harris’ first major speech since conceding the 2024 presidential election. It’s a supportive audience for the former vice president, who launched her political career in the city.

The Standard asked 40 voters at Dolores Park, in BART’s Embarcadero Station, and in SoMa about their feelings on Harris ahead of the gala at the Palace Hotel. 

Harris was popular among those polled, with 24 saying they like her. However, most would not enthusiastically support a run for governor. Eleven people said she would have their vote, but 22 said it is too soon to decide who should succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited, in the November 2026 election.

If Harris were to throw her hat in the ring, she’d be entering a crowded field. There are currently nine candidates in the gubernatorial race. However, her name recognition would immediately make her a strong contender.

“She is bold, brave, and not intimidated,” said Jena McRae, 39. “Right now, it feels like the leaders on the left are just not standing up enough.”

But it’s too soon for many voters to commit.

“I’d wait and see what her policies would be,” said Rebecca Irizarry, 22, a biology student at San Francisco State University.

“I’d want to see who else is running,” said North Beach bartender Claudia Ramos, 24.

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When asked what Harris should prioritize, voters cited local and national issues. Some called for opposition to the Trump administration, particularly its deportation policies, while others are more concerned about affordable housing. Ten voters mentioned homelessness as a top-of-mind issue.

Collin White, 25, said he’d support Harris if she runs for governor. White, who lives in an Eighth Street homeless shelter, said his main concern is the construction of high-quality transitional housing for unhoused people. There are more than 187,000 homeless people in California.

A person sits on grass in a park, wearing a gray beanie and black shirt with logos. Palm trees are in the background, and people relax on the grass.
Collin White said he's supportive of Harris as a gubernatorial candidate, and the issue he'd want her to focus on is building transitional housing for the homeless. | Source: Minh Connors for The Standard

“Fuck the SROs, the shelters,” White said. “Everybody needs an apartment.”

Cheaper housing is also Gregory Esqueda’s top priority. The 50-year-old father of four works for a property management company in San Francisco but can’t afford to live in the city.

“I have kids, so the space I need, I have to live 50 minutes outside the city,” the Pittsburg resident said.

Moses Tyler, a 29-year-old who identifies as nonbinary, said their top pick for governor is former Rep. Katie Porter, who “doesn’t seem to take big donor money” and focuses on “working-class Americans.”

Tyler doesn’t support Harris over her support of Israel but said if she does become governor, she should end the war in Gaza and be supportive of the LGBTQ+ community, which is facing  a wave of transphobia.

“She’d come up as a ‘rule of law’ candidate, so I’d like her to defend the constitutional rights of the most vulnerable,” Tyler said.

Irizarry, who is pregnant, said Harris should prioritize resources for young mothers, such as increasing payments from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s WIC program, which  provides money for low-income women to buy food for themselves and children.

“It’s gonna be hard to stay in school while caring for another human,” she said.

Scotty Dudley, a 27-year-old landscaper, said he is firmly against Harris because of her support for Israel.

A person in a red beanie and black t-shirt holds a colorful bouquet in a can, standing on a subway platform with others in the background.
Scott Dudley, a 27-year-old landscaper, said he wouldn't vote for Harris because of her support for Israel. | Source: Minh Connors for The Standard

“Fuck her,” said Dudley. “She let foreign wars, bombing in Gaza rage on.”

Noe Valley resident Kenny Lipscomb said he wouldn’t support a gubernatorial bid by Harris. 

A man with a beard and a cap and a woman with freckles in a green shirt, both sitting outside with a black dog nearby. Palm trees are in the background.
Kenny Lipscomb, left, with partner Laurel Wright in Dolores Park, said he'd prefer a younger and more progressive candidate for governor. | Source: Minh Connors for The Standard

“I want someone younger, more progressive, rooted in an ideal, not just being a politician,” the 44-year-old said. “That’s the vibe I get from her.”

Garrett Leahy can be reached at garrett@sfstandard.com
George Kelly can be reached at gkelly@sfstandard.com