Photo: Getty Images
Former Vice President Kamala Harris has reportedly set a deadline on whether she'll continue her political career by running for governor of California in 2026, two sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to Politico on Friday (March 7).
Harris was reportedly asked by a pre-Academy Awards party attendee when she would make a decision on entering the gubernatorial race and gave a definitive answer of the end of the summer. The former vice president would be able to succeed termed-out California Gov. Gavin Newsom while still focusing on another presidential campaign in 2028.
Harris was the overwhelming preferred candidate for the 2028 election despite the loss, according to a Puck News/Echelon Insights poll released on November 20. The former Democratic presidential nominee received support from 41% of respondents, while all other options were reported to be in the single digits and 16% said they were unsure.
Newsom was reported to be second with 8% support, followed by Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro at 7%. Harris was thrust into the 2024 presidential election following then-President Joe Biden's decision to end his re-election campaign in July, with the vice president being limited to just 107 days on the campaign trail, the shortest general election presidential campaign in history.