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Kamala Harris‘ camp is split over her political path forward. Those close to the vice president are continuing to weigh a potential run for California governor in 2026 and a third shot at the presidency.
The decision, they told CNN, hinges on whether or not Harris could secure the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028. Regardless of what the vice president decides, the several current and former Harris advisers and other top California Democratic insiders that spoke to the outlet agreed that she likely cannot run for both offices.
“If you’re thinking of running for president in 2028, the worst thing you can do is run for governor in 2026,” a former Harris advisor claimed.
Despite Harris’ 100 day 2024 presidential bid, during which she raked in more than $1 billion, the native Californian lost decisively to Donald Trump in both the electoral and popular votes. Those in favor of her running for governor, point to this defeat as potential foreshadowing of a 2028 Oval Office run.
Compared to the presidency, Harris’s gubernatorial odds appear much greater, having been elected statewide in California three times and served a decade in total as state attorney general and US senator.
According to CNN, several major candidates in the California race to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom even claimed they would likely step aside if she went for the seat.
Should Harris decide to run for governor, top Harris advisers reportedly believe that she would have to making her candidacy clear by the summer of 2025 at the latest.
Some close to her, however, see the governor’s mansion as settling.
“Running for governor would be a step down, and it would interfere with her ability to run for president again,” one person close to Harris told CNN. “I don’t know if she’s going to run for president again, but a shot at running for president again is worth giving up running for governor.”
Harris herself is said to also be undecided on her political future. Although she has maintained a low profile since losing to Trump, she has reminded supporters and donors “I’m not going quietly into the night” when asked about what’s next.
