Multiple sources report that Former Vice President Kamala Harris is seriously considering a run for governor of California and has set a personal deadline to make a final decision by the end of the summer.
Politico reports that at a pre-Oscars party last weekend, a fellow attendee directly asked Harris about her plans for the California gubernatorial race. According to two individuals with knowledge of the conversation, Harris responded definitively, stating that she will make a decision by the end of the summer.
In recent weeks, Harris has also reached out to trusted allies and former aides, signaling that she is seriously weighing a return to California politics. If she enters the race, she would be vying to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom, who will be termed out in 2026.
While Harris remains a prominent name in national Democratic politics, a run for governor could impact her potential 2028 presidential ambitions. Her national polling numbers remain strong among potential Democratic candidates, but insiders suggest that she has had honest discussions with advisors about the challenges of a presidential primary.
Some close confidants argue that leading the world’s fifth-largest economy as governor of California could cement her legacy and provide a stronger executive platform for future ambitions. Additionally, a successful gubernatorial term would position Harris as a national Democratic leader with executive experience beyond her previous roles as California Attorney General and U.S. Senator.
Since leaving office, Harris has maintained a high-profile presence in both political and cultural circles. She recently attended the NAACP Image Awards, where she received the Chairman’s Prize, and is scheduled to participate in a Las Vegas conversation on artificial intelligence—a strategic move that keeps her relevant in key political conversations.
Despite no formal campaign infrastructure yet, Harris has kept some of her closest and most senior aides onboard through her newly established organization, Pioneer49.
If Harris decides to run, she will likely enter a crowded and competitive Democratic primary in a deep-blue state. Several prominent California Democrats are already eyeing the governor’s mansion, including Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.
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