Kamala Harris Weighs Options: A 2026 Gubernatorial Bid or a 2028 Presidential Run
Former Vice President Kamala Harris is at a critical juncture in her political career, contemplating a significant decision that will shape her path forward. Having lost the 2024 presidential election to incumbent President Donald Trump, Harris is now seriously considering a run for governor of California in 2026, seeking to succeed the term-limited Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom.
Sources within Harris’s political circle have confirmed that she intends to make a decision by the end of the summer regarding a potential gubernatorial campaign. This news, initially reported by Politico, has ignited speculation and debate within the Democratic Party and the broader political landscape.
The former vice president faces a strategic choice between pursuing the governorship of her home state and aiming for the presidency in 2028. Early polling for the next Democratic presidential nomination race, while largely driven by name recognition at this stage, suggests that Harris currently holds a substantial lead over other potential contenders.
However, political analysts and allies alike believe that pursuing both options is highly improbable. Successfully running for and winning the governorship of California, a state renowned for its progressive policies, its significant population, and its powerful economy (ranking as the world’s fifth-largest), would likely preclude a presidential bid in 2028. The demands of governing such a large and complex state would consume her time and resources, making a simultaneous national campaign infeasible.
Harris brings a wealth of experience to the table, having served as San Francisco’s district attorney, California’s attorney general, and a U.S. Senator representing the Golden State. Her experience as Vice President under President Biden further bolstered her national profile.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding her future plans, Harris has made it clear that she intends to remain actively engaged in the political arena. In a video message to the Democratic National Committee during its winter meeting, she pledged her unwavering support to the party. She also recently addressed the NAACP Image Awards, accepting the prestigious Chairman’s Award. This weekend, she is scheduled to speak at Human X, an AI-themed conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, a key early-voting state in the presidential primary calendar and a crucial battleground in general elections.
If Harris decides to launch a gubernatorial campaign this summer, it is widely anticipated that she would effectively clear the field of potential Democratic challengers. California Attorney General Rob Bonta has already publicly stated his support for Harris and expressed his belief that her entry into the race would discourage other Democrats from competing. Bonta, himself a former state lawmaker, has indicated that he would instead seek re-election as attorney general next year, ending speculation about his own gubernatorial ambitions.
"Kamala Harris would be a great governor," Bonta told Politico, underscoring the sentiment shared by many within the California Democratic establishment.
Despite Bonta’s support, a number of other Democratic candidates have already announced their intentions to run for governor, including Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, a known Harris ally, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Former Representative Katie Porter, who recently ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic Senate nomination, has also expressed interest in launching a gubernatorial campaign. Additionally, former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, who previously served in Congress and as California’s attorney general before joining the Biden administration, is considered a potential contender.
However, it is widely believed that many of these potential candidates would likely step aside if Harris were to enter the race, recognizing her formidable fundraising ability, high name recognition, and the implicit endorsement of the Democratic Party establishment.
On the Republican side, several candidates have already emerged, including Richard Grenell, a longtime Trump loyalist who served as U.S. envoy for special missions during Trump’s second term. Grenell has hinted at a potential gubernatorial bid, particularly if Harris chooses to run. He believes that Harris carries significant "baggage" and that her record is vulnerable to attack, creating an opportunity for a Republican candidate to gain traction in California.
"If Kamala Harris runs for governor, I believe that she has such baggage and hundreds of millions of dollars in educating the voters of how terrible she is, that its a new day in California and that the Republican actually has a shot," Grenell stated.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco has also announced his Republican candidacy for governor. Additionally, former Fox News Channel host and conservative commentator Steve Hilton is reportedly considering a GOP gubernatorial bid.
California’s unique electoral system, where the top two finishers in the primary election, regardless of party affiliation, advance to the general election, could potentially create interesting matchups and unexpected outcomes. However, Republicans face a significant challenge in California, where it has been nearly two decades since a Republican won a statewide election. The last Republican to hold statewide office was former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was re-elected in 2006.
The stakes are high for Kamala Harris, as her decision will not only determine her immediate political future but also significantly influence the direction of the Democratic Party in California and on the national stage. Whether she chooses to pursue the governorship or sets her sights on a future presidential bid, her actions in the coming months will be closely watched and analyzed by political observers across the country. The Democratic Party’s trajectory in the years ahead may very well be shaped by the choice she makes this summer.
