Kamala Harris Considers Running for California Governor
In private gatherings and phone calls, she has expressed to her allies, "I am staying in this fight."
TroibNews 
Former Vice President Kamala Harris is contemplating a run for governor of California and has set a timeline for her decision.
At a pre-Oscars party last weekend, she was asked when she would announce her plans for the California governor’s race. According to two individuals familiar with the conversation, she stated she would decide by the end of the summer.
In recent weeks, Harris has communicated with supporters, allies, and trusted aides, making it clear that she intends to make her decision in a few months.
This timeline, reported here for the first time, is the clearest indication thus far of her potential candidacy to succeed the termed-out Gavin Newsom in California. Allies suggest that a victory in the governor's race could likely take a 2028 presidential bid—which Harris is still considering—off the table.
While she leads in early national polls among potential candidates, Harris has candidly discussed with advisors the anticipated challenges of the presidential primary.
Her aides highlight that she has long been interested in the role of chief executive of the fifth-largest economy in the world, marking a historic moment as the first Black woman to hold that position in the U.S.
Since leaving office, Harris's public appearances suggest she aims to maintain a prominent role within the Democratic Party, whether on one coast or the other.
Recently, she attended the NAACP Image Awards to accept the Chairman’s prize and plans to visit Las Vegas—a key early primary state—this weekend for a moderated discussion on artificial intelligence while exploring other opportunities to stay relevant in national discourse.
Harris has retained several senior aides within her newly established organization, Pioneer49, including chief of staff Sheila Nix and senior advisers Kirsten Allen and Ike Irby. Her core team of advisors, including longtime associates Brian Nelson and Minyon Moore and her former White House chief of staff Lorraine Voles, remain integral to her informal strategic discussions. Other California aides are on standby for Harris’s direction to engage. Since losing the election, she has instructed her team to keep all possible options open.
“I am staying in this fight,” she has affirmed to allies during phone calls and private gatherings.
Currently, she has not held formal discussions regarding a governor run.
The possibility of her candidacy has already prompted several Democratic contenders in the 2026 governor’s race to explore other avenues. For example, State Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced his intention to seek reelection, indicating that he likely won't run for governor due to the likelihood of Harris clearing the field if she enters.
“I hope she does. I have already raised my hand to endorse her, if she does,” Bonta noted, adding, “but I think only Kamala Harris knows the answer.”
Former Democratic Representative Katie Porter, closely monitoring the race, has indicated that she would not challenge Harris in the state primary, where the top two candidates advance to a November election, regardless of party affiliation.
Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, a close ally of Harris in California, shares some top consultants with her and would also likely pivot to another statewide contest if Harris runs. Other supporters of Harris include former state Senate leader Toni Atkins, former state Controller Betty Yee, and state schools Superintendent Tony Thurmond. Only former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has suggested he will remain in the race, though even some close to him express skepticism about those plans.
“Her name recognition, her favorables, her ability to run a successful campaign would have the impact of clearing the field on the Democratic side," Bonta remarked. “If anyone wants to stay in, will I tell them, ‘You should leave because she's clearing the field?’ Absolutely not. They can run. I think they'll lose, and I will support her.”
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
At a pre-Oscars party last weekend, she was asked when she would announce her plans for the California governor’s race. According to two individuals familiar with the conversation, she stated she would decide by the end of the summer.
In recent weeks, Harris has communicated with supporters, allies, and trusted aides, making it clear that she intends to make her decision in a few months.
This timeline, reported here for the first time, is the clearest indication thus far of her potential candidacy to succeed the termed-out Gavin Newsom in California. Allies suggest that a victory in the governor's race could likely take a 2028 presidential bid—which Harris is still considering—off the table.
While she leads in early national polls among potential candidates, Harris has candidly discussed with advisors the anticipated challenges of the presidential primary.
Her aides highlight that she has long been interested in the role of chief executive of the fifth-largest economy in the world, marking a historic moment as the first Black woman to hold that position in the U.S.
Since leaving office, Harris's public appearances suggest she aims to maintain a prominent role within the Democratic Party, whether on one coast or the other.
Recently, she attended the NAACP Image Awards to accept the Chairman’s prize and plans to visit Las Vegas—a key early primary state—this weekend for a moderated discussion on artificial intelligence while exploring other opportunities to stay relevant in national discourse.
Harris has retained several senior aides within her newly established organization, Pioneer49, including chief of staff Sheila Nix and senior advisers Kirsten Allen and Ike Irby. Her core team of advisors, including longtime associates Brian Nelson and Minyon Moore and her former White House chief of staff Lorraine Voles, remain integral to her informal strategic discussions. Other California aides are on standby for Harris’s direction to engage. Since losing the election, she has instructed her team to keep all possible options open.
“I am staying in this fight,” she has affirmed to allies during phone calls and private gatherings.
Currently, she has not held formal discussions regarding a governor run.
The possibility of her candidacy has already prompted several Democratic contenders in the 2026 governor’s race to explore other avenues. For example, State Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced his intention to seek reelection, indicating that he likely won't run for governor due to the likelihood of Harris clearing the field if she enters.
“I hope she does. I have already raised my hand to endorse her, if she does,” Bonta noted, adding, “but I think only Kamala Harris knows the answer.”
Former Democratic Representative Katie Porter, closely monitoring the race, has indicated that she would not challenge Harris in the state primary, where the top two candidates advance to a November election, regardless of party affiliation.
Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, a close ally of Harris in California, shares some top consultants with her and would also likely pivot to another statewide contest if Harris runs. Other supporters of Harris include former state Senate leader Toni Atkins, former state Controller Betty Yee, and state schools Superintendent Tony Thurmond. Only former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has suggested he will remain in the race, though even some close to him express skepticism about those plans.
“Her name recognition, her favorables, her ability to run a successful campaign would have the impact of clearing the field on the Democratic side," Bonta remarked. “If anyone wants to stay in, will I tell them, ‘You should leave because she's clearing the field?’ Absolutely not. They can run. I think they'll lose, and I will support her.”
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
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