Twice-failed Democrat presidential candidate Kamala Harris has announced that she will not be running for California governor in 2026.
However, by officially ruling out a gubernatorial bid, Harris may have just set the stage for a 2028 presidential run.
In her statement explaining her decision, Harris said:
“For now, my leadership — and public service — will not be in elected office.”
The decision puts an end to speculation that she would attempt to take the helm in California, one of the country’s most politically significant and economically powerful states.
Despite shutting down the possibility of running for governor, Harris made it clear that she isn’t stepping away from politics entirely.
“I look forward to getting back out and listening to the American people, helping elect Democrats across the nation who will fight fearlessly, and sharing more details in the months ahead about my own plans,” she said.
Harris’ decision not to pursue the governor’s office in 2026 raises eyebrows, especially as it signals that she is preparing for a possible run for the White House in 2028.
Her potential candidacy in 2028 could make her the most recognizable Democrat in what is expected to be a crowded field of contenders.
However, Harris faces significant challenges.
Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign failed to gain traction, and her role in the Biden administration became a point of contention among voters.
Her role in covering up Biden’s mental and physical health was called into question during the election.
After Trump’s decisive victory in 2024, Harris found herself unable to shake the baggage of a losing campaign while serving as vice president.
Political analysts have warned that Harris’s support for the Biden administration’s failures, particularly in handling the economy and foreign policy, will weigh heavily on her in any future presidential bid.
As the Democratic Party grapples with its losses, especially in the wake of Trump’s second term, many within the party are looking to distance themselves from the failures of the past.
“If you’re trying to take a different path for the party, it’s hard to go backwards and pick the person who lost to Trump,” one Democratic consultant told Fox News, suggesting that the party may be looking for fresh leadership.
Despite her pledges of staying involved in politics, Harris’s decision to stay out of the 2026 governor race seems to show a shift away from local office and toward a third bid for the presidency.
But this may not come without its share of political baggage.
In an interview, Republican House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY), who has been outspoken about Biden’s fitness for office, suggested that Harris could soon face significant scrutiny.
“The odds of Kamala Harris getting a subpoena are very high,” Comer said, referencing ongoing investigations into the Biden administration’s use of executive power.
As Democrats like California Governor Gavin Newsom and others begin to make moves for 2028, Harris’s challenge will be whether her history of strong allegiance to the Biden administration and her failed 2024 campaign can be overcome.
Notably, Harris and Newsom won’t be able to run on the same ticket due to both Democrats being from California.
Harris’s latest move, a shift away from the governor’s race, signals the beginning of what could be a contentious battle for the future of the Democratic Party.
But with Trump’s second term battling the failures of the previous administration, and the American people growing increasingly disillusioned with the liberal agenda, Harris may face an uphill battle in her pursuit of the presidency.
As she hinted in her statement, Harris is “grateful for the whole story,” but it remains to be seen if the American people will embrace what she has to offer in 2028, especially as the country moves further from the chaos of the Biden administration.
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