Failed Democrat presidential candidate Kamala Harris has reportedly set a deadline to decide on her next campaign, this time considering a run for California governor.
A Politico report has revealed that Kamala Harris set a deadline for the end of summer to decide whether to enter the gubernatorial race. The outlet noted that she has been telling her supporters “I am staying in this fight” during private gatherings and on phone calls.
Two sources told Politico that Harris announced the deadline during a pre-Oscars party, telling another attendee that she planned to make the decision about running for California governor by the end of summer.
These sources also told the outlet that, should Harris win the governor’s race, she would not be running for president again in 2028, despite the fact that some early polls show that the former vice president would have a strong lead in the Democrat presidential primary field.
Harris also reportedly has a significant lead in a hypothetical California governor’s race. According to The Daily Wire, “Harris maintains significant leads in early national polls of potential candidates for California governor and has kept her political operation intact through her newly formed organization Pioneer49, with several top aides remaining on board.”
NEW: Kamala Harris is considering running for governor of California and will make her final decision by the end of summer.
According to Polymarket, the failed presidential candidate has a 49% chance of announcing her gubernatorial run before July.
California Gov Gavin Newsom's… pic.twitter.com/QSmJ9njdNB
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 7, 2025
The campaign itself may end up being a bit of a struggle, however, as Kamala Harris is widely known for being extremely unpleasant to her staff, with outlets calling it a “revolving door of staff” because of the constant resignations. According to a September 2024 report from the Washington Post, “More than 90 percent of Harris’s vice-presidential staff who started working for her in early 2021 have since left the office.”
Meanwhile, other candidates who were reportedly planning a run for California governor have already begun rethinking their plans because of Harris. Reports indicate that nearly every other Democrat planning to enter the race is considering bowing out if Harris announces her campaign.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has already ended his exploration for a governor’s bid, announcing that he would instead be seeking reelection.
When questioned as to whether he believed that Harris should run, Bonta stated: “I hope she does. I have already raised my hand to endorse her, if she does.”
“Her name recognition, her favorables, her ability to run a successful campaign would have the impact of clearing the field on the Democratic side,” he added.
Other candidates are also reportedly reconsidering their plans to run, including disgraced former Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis. However, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has hinted at staying in the race, according to Politico.
