Republicans are delighted over reports that Kamala Harris is “weighing” a run for California governor, with many suggesting the move could hand the gubernatorial race to a GOP candidate.
Rumors have been swirling that Harris could be preparing to launch a gubernatorial bid in her home state.
Earlier this month, CBS News reported:
“Sources familiar with Harris’ thinking say she’s weighing a gubernatorial bid in her home state, a third run for the presidency or not seeking elected office.”
California has not elected a Republican governor since 2007.
However, many Republicans see Harris as a potentially vulnerable candidate should Democrats choose her.
“I’d jump for joy,” Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco declared.
“She’s the perfect example of everything Californians are sick of – soft on crime, blind to our problems, and more focused on DC than Main Street,” Bianco explained, according to the Daily Mail.
“She won two statewide elections, and she won in California when she was running for president.
“But those votes didn’t go to Kamala Harris.
“Those votes went against Donald Trump.”
According to POLITICO, Republican political consultant Dave Gilliard stated:
“I think it could attract some donors from around the country who might be interested in taking another pound of flesh.
“Money is the biggest obstacle other than the registration because the donor world doesn’t think a Republican can be elected governor anymore.”
“She’s got the résumé – but so do a lot of people who’ve lost,” Republican consultant Kevin Madden asserted.
“What she doesn’t have is momentum.”
“I sense that this is the best shot for someone to be elected statewide in California who’s not a Democrat for at least 20 years, and I think the evident reason for that is the failure of one-party rule,” conservative pundit Steve Hilton said.
“The candidate who’s going to win in 2026, regardless of party label, is the change candidate.
“Kamala Harris is the one who least represents change.”
“She has a chance to be embarrassed even if she wins,” said GOP consultant Kevin Spillane, who managed the campaign of GOP California attorney general candidate Steve Cooley.
Cooley narrowly lost to Harris in 2010.
“It could be a pyrrhic victory,” Spillane added.
“California remains a staunchly Democratic state in which 59 percent of voters chose Harris over Trump in 2024,” POLITICO noted.
“But Harris underperformed former President Joe Biden’s 2020 results across the state as Trump flipped purple counties and made inroads in blue areas.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom is term-limited and will not run for reelection in 2026.
Newsom is also widely believed to be preparing for a 2028 presidential run.
However, Harris and Newsom, both Californians, cannot run on the same ticket in 2028.
