Former Vice President Kamala Harris has not ruled out a possible run for California Governor after her devastating loss to President Donald Trump in November.
The vice president told people at a pre-Oscars party last week that she would make a decision about the race for California governor by the end of the summer, according to a Politico report.
Harris still maintains popularity in California despite the nationwide rejection of voters in swing states and her loss of the popular vote against Trump.
The Democratic primary for the race is scheduled for June 2, 2026, with the general election scheduled for November.
Harris has always been popular in California, easily beating Democratic challengers in her race for Attorney General and her race for Senator of California.
Her 2020 race for president, however, failed spectacularly as she ended her campaign before the Iowa caucuses and the California primary.
Since her loss, Harris has vowed to ‘stay in the fight’ and organized some of her trusted aides into the organization Pioneer49, while she explores her political future.
If Harris runs for governor, she will likely forego another run for president in 2028, which Democratic strategists in Washington, DC fully expect her to explore.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris accepts the Chairman’s Award onstage during the 56th NAACP Image Awards
Douglas Emhoff and Kamala Harris attend the 56th NAACP Image Awards
National polls taken after the election show that Harris is leading the 2028 field with former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in second place.
Harris tried to rally the left during a speech at the NAACP awards ceremony where she was awarded the ‘Chairman’s Award.’
After describing the ‘flames on our horizons,’ the ‘rising waters in our cities,’ and ‘the shadows gathering over our democracy,’ Harris urged attendees to fight.
‘Our strength flows from our faith — faith in God, faith in each other, and our refusal to surrender to cynicism and destruction,’ she said. ‘Not because it is easy, but because it is necessary. Not because victory is guaranteed, but because the fight is worth it.’
Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris attends the 56th NAACP Image Awards
Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Douglas Emhoff attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors
Harris was also spotted in February at a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors with her husband Doug Emhoff.
Harris might choose to run for California governor next to avoid a clash with current California Governor Gavin Newsom, as he is already exploring a possible run for president, as he is term limited from running again.
Harris and Newsom have long been considered ‘frenemies’ in California, each trying to avoid competing with each other in political races.
Newsom just launched his new podcast ‘This is Gavin Newsom’ with an interview with MAGA activist Charlie Kirk, where he announced a shift in his position of biological males playing in girl’s sports.
Trump is term-limited from running again in 2028, meaning that Republicans will have to field a new candidate for president.
Vice President JD Vance would likely run for president in 2028, but has not made a decision. Other rising Republican stars are also exploring the race.
