Former Vice President Kamala Harris lost the Presidential race in a big way. But she wants a redo.
And as Kamala Harris has staged a comeback, a Trump ally has shut her up and shut her down.
Reportedly, Kamala Harris and some of her closest allies are considering a pathway for her to return to the White House. She’s apparently thinking about jumping into the 2028 Democrat primaries when that rolls around, believing that she is still the best talent that the Democrats have. Some of her close allies have indicated in interviews and podcasts recently that they believe Harris got the “short end of the stick” in this past race.
In order to get there, though, they think there’s a clear pathway. They want Kamala Harris to run for Governor in California, bolstering her claim to be able to win a big election prior to running for President in 2028. Then, they suggest, that Kamala Harris can become the de-facto nominee for the Democrats from the start rather than the “backup” like she was in the chaotic situation when Joe Biden bowed out of the race in July of 2024.
Donald Trump and his allies, though, are begging her to do just that. They want her to jump into the race for Governor in 2026. Why would they do that? They believe that this will have the opposite result. Reportedly, Republican strategists view a Harris candidacy for California Governor as an opportunity to install a Republican Governor for the first time in decades.
Richard Grenell Signals Potential California Gubernatorial Run Amid Kamala Harris Speculation
Richard Grenell, former President Donald Trump’s “special missions” envoy and interim executive director of the Kennedy Center, has left the door open to running for California governor, especially if Vice President Kamala Harris decides to pursue the position. Grenell, known for his high-profile roles during Trump’s first term, hinted at a possible bid while speaking to reporters on Friday.
“If Kamala Harris runs for governor — I believe that she has such baggage and hundreds of millions of dollars in educating the voters of how terrible she is — that it’s a new day in California, and that the Republican actually has a shot,” Grenell said. “And I wouldn’t say no.”
Grenell’s comments come at a pivotal moment, with speculation mounting over whether Harris will seek to return to California’s political landscape as governor. Grenell, who served in multiple influential positions during the Trump administration, including acting director of national intelligence, has previously expressed interest in challenging California’s Democratic leadership. He even considered running against Governor Gavin Newsom (D) in the 2021 recall election, though he withdrew from the race just before the deadline.
The question of who will succeed Newsom is a major topic of discussion, as he is term-limited and cannot run again in 2026. This opens the door for a potentially crowded field of candidates from both parties, each vying for the governorship of the Golden State.
Recent polling data offers insight into the current dynamics surrounding the race. A poll released on Thursday by Emerson College Polling, Insider California Politics, and The Hill revealed that Harris would be the frontrunner in a Democratic primary, garnering 57 percent of the vote. Former Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) secured second place with 9 percent support.
Harris herself addressed speculation about a potential run during a recent appearance in California, where she had been surveying damage caused by wildfires. Although she did not definitively confirm her candidacy, Harris made it clear that she was in no rush to make an announcement. “I have been home for two weeks and three days. My plans are to be in touch with my community, to be in touch with the leaders and figure out what I can do to support them,” she said.
For Republicans, the prospect of winning a gubernatorial race in California remains a daunting challenge. Despite Donald Trump’s success in gaining ground with several demographics and battleground states during the last presidential election, California has been a solidly Democratic state for years. The last Republican to win the governorship was Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), who secured re-election in 2006.
While it remains to be seen whether Grenell will ultimately challenge Harris or any other Democrat, his recent comments suggest that he’s not ruling out the possibility. Should Harris decide to run, the race could be one of the most closely watched in California’s history.
Complicating the matters for Kamala Harris, though, will be the wrinkle that she will have to convince donors and Democrat Party officials at the top of the tower that she will not fail them like she did in 2024. In recent interviews, former Democrat fundraiser and strategist Lindy Li has alleged that Democrat donors are telling her that they want Kamala Harris to stay out of the spotlight for Democrats for good.
The Federalist Wire will update you on any updates from the Kamala Harris team.
