DENVER, CO - AUGUST 26: San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris laugh at a Time magazine breakfast for up and coming politicians as part of the Democratic National Convention, Tuesday Aug. 26, 2008, in Denver, Colorado. On Tuesday, August 11, 2020, Joe Biden announced he had selected Harris as his Vice-presidential running mate. (Lacy Atkins/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
Los Angeles, California – Kamala Harris is once again testing the political waters, this time closer to home. The former vice president has quietly begun a round of outreach to longtime supporters and allies as she weighs a bid for California governor in 2026. Yet many Democratic donors, still smarting from the collapse of her presidential campaign last year, remain uncertain whether Harris is the right standard-bearer — or whether she even has the drive to pursue the office.
In recent weeks, Harris has hosted intimate gatherings in the Bay Area, billed as social events but carrying an unmistakable political undertone. Her circle says she is taking a deliberate, wide-ranging look at her next steps, which could include a gubernatorial campaign, another run for the White House, or even a philanthropic venture. Advisers say the former vice president is determined to make a thoughtful decision grounded in her values and a sense of responsibility.
But the bruises from her failed 2024 presidential run have yet to heal among many in California’s donor class. Several major contributors privately described Harris as a reminder of a political nightmare — the messy collapse of President Biden’s reelection effort, compounded by questions about whether Harris herself shielded voters from Biden’s cognitive decline. “No one wants to relive that,” said one Democratic fundraiser who asked for anonymity to speak candidly.
Still, Harris’ structural advantages in California are formidable. She commands a vast fundraising network, a loyal following among Black women across the country, and near-universal name recognition. If she entered the governor’s race, she would likely clear much of the Democratic field, with some rivals hesitant to challenge a candidate so deeply rooted in the state’s politics.
Yet the field’s sluggish start also reflects donor ambivalence. Without a clear signal from Harris, potential supporters have been reluctant to commit. “It’s hard to get enthusiasm going if she won’t say whether she really wants to do it,” said Scott Drexel, a Bay Area donor adviser.
While Harris has been warmly received at local events — a Compton High School graduation, Easter services in Inglewood — her appearance at the Met Ball in New York and her absence from the California Democratic Party convention left some questioning her commitment to a state she has not lived in full-time for nearly a decade.
Her summer deadline for a decision looms. Confidantes hope a planned July vacation will provide clarity on whether she wants to lead California through crises that include wildfire recovery, a cooling economy, and persistent housing challenges.
