But many Democratic donors are not excited about her return to politics. Some donors are still upset about her loss in the 2024 presidential election to Donald Trump. A few donors said her running again would just remind them of that painful defeat, as per the report by Politico.
One major California donor said 2024 was “traumatizing” and called the current situation a “complete s* storm**”. That donor also blamed Biden’s team and said Harris knew about his mental decline but didn’t speak up. Some people want Harris to publicly explain why she’s the right person to lead California, as per the reports.
The state is going through wildfires, Trump’s tariffs, immigration raids, and military actions.
Donors are also still mad about the billion-dollar campaign that failed to get her to the White House—and left behind a lot of debt. These donors want her to have a clear plan to actually win the governor’s race, according to the report by Politico.
Harris’s team says they understand the frustration but believe donors will back her if she runs.
They point out that other Democrats running for governor have not raised much money, which could mean donors are waiting for Harris.She has been holding private meetings with her top supporters, especially in the Bay Area, where her political career started. If she runs, she could become the top candidate because of her famous name and strong fundraising ability, as per Politico.Some other Democratic candidates might drop out if Harris joins the race. She has a strong fundraising network, lots of small donors, and Black women supporters from across the U.S.
Donors are not all on board — and republicans are watching.
Even though some Democrats aren’t excited, Republicans are hoping Harris runs. They think her campaign would highlight the problems of the Biden-Harris administration. Some think she might be blamed for not being honest about Biden’s health before he dropped out in 2024, as per the report by Politico.
One Democratic fundraiser said her campaign would remind people of the “pathetic” 2024 race and Biden’s condition, which no one wants to talk about again. They said: “She still would probably lead, but honestly, no one is incredibly pumped.”
Another Democrat running for governor, Antonio Villaraigosa, even accused Harris of being part of the Biden health cover-up. Her team knows she needs to address that issue early in any campaign so she can move on to other topics. Donors say she should not expect automatic support from the party. She’ll have to earn it, as stated in the report by Politico.
Now what’s Next for Kamala? She’s seriously considering the 2026 Governor’s race — it’s her most urgent choice because of upcoming deadlines. She plans to make a final decision by late summer. Running for president again in 2028 is also still a possibility for her, as per reports.
FAQs
Q1. Is Kamala Harris running for California Governor?
She might run in 2026 but hasn’t decided yet.
Q2. Why are some Democrats not excited?
They’re still upset about her 2024 loss and want a clear plan.