Former US Vice President Kamala Harris is considering a run for California governor in 2026, according to the New York Times. The newspaper noted that Harris has kept a relatively low profile since her loss to Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, and reported that she is still processing the defeat while evaluating her political future.
Harris became the Democratic presidential nominee after then-President Joe Biden withdrew from the race less than four months before Election Day. Biden faced increasing pressure to step aside due to concerns over his mental and physical health and ultimately endorsed Harris as his successor. Despite the endorsement, Harris was defeated and failed to carry any battleground states.
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Sources familiar with her thinking told the newspaper that Harris is seriously exploring a gubernatorial bid. The position will become open as current Governor Gavin Newsom is set to leave office, with the election scheduled for November 3, 2026. Harris reportedly believes that leading California – the most populous Democratic stronghold – would offer her a powerful platform to counteract Trump-era policies.
Harris has recently begun to reengage with the public. At the Leading Women Defined Summit earlier this month, she spoke of a growing “sense of fear” in the US and criticized institutions for “capitulating to clearly unconstitutional threats” – a thinly veiled reference to recent actions by Trump. Less than 100 days into his second term, Trump has eliminated diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, authorized widespread federal employee layoffs, and enacted broad global tariffs that have roiled financial markets.
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Should she enter the race for governor, Harris would likely forgo a second presidential campaign in 2028, although that possibility remains on the table, the NYT reported. Her advisers believe the Democratic primary race for the White House will be highly competitive and could include current California Governor Newsom among the contenders, according to reports.
Although she has yet to announce a decision, polling suggests Harris would immediately become the front-runner in the California gubernatorial race.
“Let her run,” Trump said in a recent interview referring to Harris’ potential candidacy for California governor. “One thing she’s going to do, she’s got to start doing interviews.”
Several other Democratic contenders, including former US Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and former Representative Katie Porter, have already launched their campaigns. Harris has reportedly indicated she will make her decision by the end of the summer.
Some within the party have expressed frustration over Harris’ delay, arguing that early leadership is crucial in such a consequential race.