After a stinging defeat in the 2024 presidential election, former Vice President Kamala Harris is reportedly eyeing a political reset — this time through California’s soon-to-be-open governor’s seat. But early signs suggest that her own party may not be rolling out the red carpet.
A Sunday report from The New York Times highlighted the growing unease among California Democrats over Harris’ potential run for governor in 2026. According to the Times, her possible entry into the race has prompted “trepidation” among party insiders, who worry she’s disconnected from California’s grassroots and lacks the momentum needed to galvanize support statewide.
The criticism is especially notable given that California is a solidly Democratic stronghold and Harris’ home state. Yet, despite those advantages, skepticism is rising — and not from Republicans, but from fellow Democrats.
“She has the support of the elites,” said one San Diego delegate, warning that the working-class base may see Harris’ candidacy as another example of out-of-touch political ambition. Others questioned her absence at a recent California Democratic convention in Anaheim, where she phoned in rather than attending in person — a move interpreted by some as a sign of disengagement.
“I wonder where her priorities are,” one Santa Cruz delegate told the Times. “I do support her and think that she’s great, but right now I have more questions than answers.”
This apparent disconnect from the Democratic grassroots base comes at a time when the party is still reeling from major losses in 2024. The defeats not only ended Harris’ tenure in the White House, but also signaled a broader rejection of the Biden-Harris agenda by voters across the country. President Donald Trump’s successful return to the Oval Office underscored that shift.
Now, as the Democratic Party attempts to regroup, some are questioning whether Harris is the right figure to help rebuild momentum — or if her political capital is simply too diminished.
Even those within her close political orbit appear conflicted. California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, described as a longtime friend of Harris, is reportedly prepared to drop out of the race if Harris runs. Meanwhile, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa took a harsher tone, openly questioning Harris’ knowledge of President Joe Biden’s widely speculated cognitive decline during the final stretch of the administration.
“What did Kamala Harris and Xavier Becerra know, when did they know it, and most importantly, why didn’t either of them speak out?” Villaraigosa asked in a statement, referencing the former Secretary of Health and Human Services.
These concerns reflect a broader worry that Harris, once touted as the future of the Democratic Party, may now be seen as part of a failed political era.
Harris has yet to formally announce her plans but is expected to make a decision by the end of the summer, according to Politico. Some Democrats have speculated that a run for California governor could serve as a “graceful exit” from national politics after her failed bid for the presidency.
Still, not all party members are enthusiastic about that possibility. “We haven’t really heard from her on California issues since Trump’s inauguration,” said Madison Zimmerman, a delegate from Shasta County. “I feel like California isn’t a consolation prize.”
For now, Harris remains a high-profile political figure with name recognition, fundraising connections, and a substantial national profile. But in a state as politically complex as California — and after a turbulent four years on the national stage — even those advantages may not be enough.
As the 2026 governor’s race begins to take shape, Democrats will soon decide whether Kamala Harris represents the party’s next chapter — or a reminder of one they’re eager to move past.