Kathrine Frich
Questions are being raised in California after voters began receiving unusual political text messages.
The messages suggest a scenario that the politician at the center of it has already publicly ruled out.
Despite that, the outreach is fueling fresh speculation.
Mystery texts
Former Vice President Kamala Harris has said she is not running for governor of California and is stepping back from public office.
However, according to reports cited by Express, voters are now receiving text surveys asking whether they would support her as a write-in candidate.
The messages ask recipients how likely they would be to back Harris if she entered the race in that way.
Screenshots shared online show detailed polling-style questions sent directly to voters.
One question reads: “If former Vice President Kamala Harris were to launch a write-in campaign for California Governor, what are the chances you would write-in Harris for Governor?”
Another asks: “And if you had to choose now, and you knew that Kamala Harris was running a write-in campaign for Governor… for whom would you vote?”
Speculation grows
The origin of the messages remains unclear, prompting speculation about who may be behind them.
Some observers believe the texts could be testing voter appetite for a potential late entry into the race.
Others suggest they may come from data firms or political groups exploring different scenarios.
California’s current governor, Gavin Newsom, is term-limited and cannot run again.
The Democratic field has seen shifts, including the withdrawal of Representative Eric Swalwell, which may have opened the door for new candidates.
Some insiders have suggested Harris could “swoop in” if conditions align.
Harris’s team has distanced itself from the messages.
According to reports, her camp indicated it was not behind the outreach and suggested checking with election law experts about whether such a write-in campaign would even be viable.
Sources: The Express
