Former Vice President Kamala Harris appears poised to run for California Governor, according to a report from The Hill.
Sources told The Hill that Harris is giving the 2026 gubernatorial strong consideration, although she has not made a decision yet.
The big picture: Harris previously said that she will make her decision about the race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom at the end of the summer. The Hill reported that she is sticking to her self-imposed deadline and will reflect on her next steps in July.
- Harris has spent time in recent weeks participating in conversions about the political climate in California, according to the report.
- She also spoke out against President Donald Trump deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles to deal with riots over immigration raids.
- “Los Angeles is my home,” Harris wrote in a statement earlier in June. “And like so many Americans, I am appalled at what we are witnessing on the streets of our city. Deploying the National Guard is a dangerous escalation meant to provoke chaos. In addition to the recent ICE raids in Southern California and across our nation, it is part of the Trump administration’s cruel, calculated agenda to spread panic and division.”
What they’re saying: A source told The Hill that the thought of entering the race has put “a glimmer in her eyes.”
- “She has a lot of people in her ear telling her that it makes the most sense and she can do the most good,” a source told The Hill.
State of play: If Harris chooses to enter the race, polling has been consistent in recent months placing her at the top.
- Polling has given Harris major leads over other Democrats who have launched campaigns, including Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, former Rep. Katie Porter, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and others.
What we’re watching: One major issue that could hurt Harris if she enters the race is if she played a role in concealing the declining health of former President Joe Biden.
- Villaraigosa has already brought the issue to the forefront.
- “Voters deserve to know the truth, what did Kamala Harris and Xavier Becerra know, when did they know it, and most importantly, why didn’t either of them speak out? This cover up directly led to a second Donald Trump term,” Villaraigosa said on X in May.
