Kamala Harris Establishes a Timeline for Her Upcoming Action
"I am staying in this fight,” she has informed allies during phone conversations and at exclusive gatherings.
TroibNews 
Former Vice President Kamala Harris is seriously contemplating a bid for the governorship of California, establishing a timeline for her decision.
At a pre-Oscars gathering last weekend, Harris responded to a question about her potential entry into the California governor's race with a clear timeframe, as recounted by two individuals familiar with the exchange: she intends to decide by the end of summer.
In recent weeks, during discussions with supporters, allies, and trusted aides, Harris has emphasized that she plans to reach a decision in the coming months.
This timeline, which is being reported here for the first time, represents the strongest indication yet that she may seek to succeed the termed-out Gavin Newsom in California. According to her allies, winning the governorship would likely eliminate the possibility of a presidential run in 2028, a prospect that Harris is still considering.
Though Harris leads early national polls among potential candidates, she has candidly discussed with advisors and confidants in Washington the challenges ahead in the presidential primary.
Her aides mention that Harris has long been intrigued by the role of being the chief executive of California, which represents the fifth-largest economy in the world, and she would become the first Black woman to hold a governorship in the U.S.
Since leaving office, her public appearances suggest she envisions a future leadership role within the Democratic Party, whether from California or elsewhere.
Recently, she accepted the Chairman’s prize at the NAACP Image Awards and is scheduled to travel to Las Vegas, an early primary state, for a conversation on artificial intelligence, and has been consulting with advisers on strategies to maintain her visibility in the national dialogue.
Harris has retained several of her most senior and trusted aides under her newly established organization, Pioneer49, including chief of staff Sheila Nix and senior advisers Kirsten Allen and Ike Irby. Key figures from her team, like longtime advisers Brian Nelson and Minyon Moore along with her White House chief of staff Lorraine Voles, play crucial roles in her informal support network. Other top aides in California are awaiting direction from Harris to begin their efforts. Since her last election, she has instructed her aides and allies to keep all potential avenues open.
“I am staying in this fight,” she has reiterated to allies during phone calls and private meetings.
At this stage, she has not yet initiated formal discussions regarding a governor run.
The mere possibility of her candidacy has prompted several Democratic candidates within California’s 2026 gubernatorial race to seek alternative paths. State Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced his plans to run for reelection, saying that he won't pursue the governorship partly due to Harris's likelihood of dominating the field if she enters.
“I hope she does. I have already raised my hand to endorse her, if she does,” Bonta said, adding, “but I think only Kamala Harris knows the answer.”
Former Democratic Representative Katie Porter, monitoring the situation closely, has expressed that she would not challenge Harris in a primary where the top two candidates, regardless of party, would advance to a November election.
Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, a close ally of Harris who shares some top consultants, would also defer to Harris and likely consider another statewide role if she runs. Other notable figures like former state Senate leader Toni Atkins, former state Controller Betty Yee, and state schools Superintendent Tony Thurmond have consistently backed Harris. Only former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has indicated he will continue his campaign, although those close to him have cast doubt on those intentions.
“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 stated. “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.”
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
At a pre-Oscars gathering last weekend, Harris responded to a question about her potential entry into the California governor's race with a clear timeframe, as recounted by two individuals familiar with the exchange: she intends to decide by the end of summer.
In recent weeks, during discussions with supporters, allies, and trusted aides, Harris has emphasized that she plans to reach a decision in the coming months.
This timeline, which is being reported here for the first time, represents the strongest indication yet that she may seek to succeed the termed-out Gavin Newsom in California. According to her allies, winning the governorship would likely eliminate the possibility of a presidential run in 2028, a prospect that Harris is still considering.
Though Harris leads early national polls among potential candidates, she has candidly discussed with advisors and confidants in Washington the challenges ahead in the presidential primary.
Her aides mention that Harris has long been intrigued by the role of being the chief executive of California, which represents the fifth-largest economy in the world, and she would become the first Black woman to hold a governorship in the U.S.
Since leaving office, her public appearances suggest she envisions a future leadership role within the Democratic Party, whether from California or elsewhere.
Recently, she accepted the Chairman’s prize at the NAACP Image Awards and is scheduled to travel to Las Vegas, an early primary state, for a conversation on artificial intelligence, and has been consulting with advisers on strategies to maintain her visibility in the national dialogue.
Harris has retained several of her most senior and trusted aides under her newly established organization, Pioneer49, including chief of staff Sheila Nix and senior advisers Kirsten Allen and Ike Irby. Key figures from her team, like longtime advisers Brian Nelson and Minyon Moore along with her White House chief of staff Lorraine Voles, play crucial roles in her informal support network. Other top aides in California are awaiting direction from Harris to begin their efforts. Since her last election, she has instructed her aides and allies to keep all potential avenues open.
“I am staying in this fight,” she has reiterated to allies during phone calls and private meetings.
At this stage, she has not yet initiated formal discussions regarding a governor run.
The mere possibility of her candidacy has prompted several Democratic candidates within California’s 2026 gubernatorial race to seek alternative paths. State Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced his plans to run for reelection, saying that he won't pursue the governorship partly due to Harris's likelihood of dominating the field if she enters.
“I hope she does. I have already raised my hand to endorse her, if she does,” Bonta said, adding, “but I think only Kamala Harris knows the answer.”
Former Democratic Representative Katie Porter, monitoring the situation closely, has expressed that she would not challenge Harris in a primary where the top two candidates, regardless of party, would advance to a November election.
Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, a close ally of Harris who shares some top consultants, would also defer to Harris and likely consider another statewide role if she runs. Other notable figures like former state Senate leader Toni Atkins, former state Controller Betty Yee, and state schools Superintendent Tony Thurmond have consistently backed Harris. Only former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has indicated he will continue his campaign, although those close to him have cast doubt on those intentions.
“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 stated. “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.”
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
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