From the Office of Kamala D. Harris
Former Vice President Kamala Harris is contemplating a run for California governor in 2026, a decision that could reshape both her political trajectory and the state’s leadership landscape. While she has not officially declared her candidacy, Harris has indicated she will make a decision by late summer 2025 .
A Crowded Democratic Field
The Democratic primary for the 2026 gubernatorial race is already bustling with declared candidates, including former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, former U.S. Representative Katie Porter, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and former State Controller Betty Yee .
Some candidates, like Kounalakis and Porter, have expressed willingness to step aside should Harris enter the race, while others, including Becerra and Villaraigosa, intend to continue their campaigns regardless of her decision.
Mixed Reactions Within the Party
Harris’s potential candidacy has elicited varied responses from within the Democratic Party. While her national profile and previous roles as U.S. Senator and California Attorney General lend her significant name recognition, some party members express concerns about her commitment to the governorship and view her possible run as a strategic move for a future presidential bid .
At the California Democratic Party convention in Anaheim, Harris’s absence was notable as other candidates actively engaged with delegates. Her decision to address attendees via a pre-recorded video message was met with criticism, suggesting a lack of direct engagement with the state’s Democratic base .
Polling and Public Perception
Recent polls indicate that Harris would enter the race as a frontrunner. An Emerson College poll from April 2025 showed her leading the Democratic field with 31% support among likely voters . However, enthusiasm among political influencers is tepid; a Politico and UC Berkeley Citrin Center poll found that 36% of surveyed policy influencers were indifferent to her potential candidacy, while only 22% were “mostly excited” .
Republican Perspective
Republicans view Harris’s potential entry into the gubernatorial race as an opportunity to galvanize their base and increase fundraising efforts. Given California’s Democratic leanings, a Republican victory remains unlikely, but Harris’s national prominence could help GOP candidates gain visibility and resources .
The Road Ahead
As Harris deliberates her political future, the Democratic field continues to evolve. Her decision will not only impact the dynamics of the 2026 gubernatorial race but could also influence the broader trajectory of the Democratic Party as it prepares for upcoming national elections.
