Kamala Harris reveals timetable for making major political decision in deep blue state
Former Vice President Kamala Harris is at a crossroads in her political career, as she sets a timetable to make a major decision about her future. Harris, who was unsuccessful in her bid for the White House last November against now-President Donald Trump, is seriously considering a run for governor of California in 2026 to succeed term-limited Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom.
A source within Harris’s political orbit confirmed to Fox News Digital that the former vice president has informed allies that she will make a decision by the end of the summer on whether to launch a gubernatorial campaign. This news was first reported by Politico.
Since last year’s election, there has been much speculation surrounding Harris. After replacing then-President Joe Biden as the Democratic Party’s nominee for the 2024 presidential race, Harris is now faced with two potential options – running for governor next year in her home state or seeking the presidency again in 2028. Early polls for the Democratic Party’s next presidential nomination race show that Harris holds a significant lead over other potential contenders, but it is unlikely she could pursue both paths simultaneously.
Harris has an impressive political resume, having served as San Francisco district attorney, California attorney general, and as a U.S. Senator representing California before becoming vice president. If she decides to launch a gubernatorial campaign, she would likely face little competition from other Democratic candidates.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has already expressed his support for Harris and stated that she would be a “field-clearing” candidate if she decides to run for governor. Other potential Democratic candidates, such as Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, may step aside if Harris enters the race.
On the Republican side, longtime Trump loyalist Richard Grenell and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco have both announced their candidacies for governor, with Grenell suggesting that Harris’s potential run could create an opportunity for a Republican candidate to win in California.
In California’s unique primary system, the top two finishers, regardless of party affiliation, advance to the general election. With the state’s history of leaning heavily Democratic, Harris’s potential run for governor could shake up the political landscape and set the stage for an exciting and competitive race.
As Harris weighs her options and prepares to make a decision about her political future, all eyes will be on California as the state gears up for what could be a transformative gubernatorial election in 2026.
