Kamala Harris Weighs Her Next Move: California Governor or 2028 Presidential Run?

Vice President Kamala Harris is charting her next political chapter after her defeat in the 2024 presidential election to Donald Trump.

While Harris has kept a relatively low profile since election night, her advisors and allies confirm that she’s far from done with politics. The former senator from California and the nation’s first Black and South Asian vice president is reportedly weighing two ambitious options: running for California governor in 2026 or making another bid for the presidency in 2028.

According to Politico, Harris has been clear with her inner circle: “I am staying in the fight.”

The vice president is considering a gubernatorial bid as California Governor Gavin Newsom nears the end of his term-limited tenure. Alternatively, Harris may once again pursue the nation’s highest office in 2028.

Insiders say the two paths are mutually exclusive; it’s unlikely she could successfully attempt both.

For now, Harris appears focused on recalibrating after a whirlwind election season. She recently retreated to Hawaii with family and senior advisors, where discussions about her political future have reportedly begun in earnest.

Even as she considers her next move, Harris has made it clear she intends to remain a vocal figure in American politics, particularly as an opposition voice to Trump’s incoming administration. Advisors are exploring the possibility of establishing an independent political entity for Harris, which would allow her to travel, deliver speeches, and maintain key relationships while leaving the door open for future campaigns.

“She doesn’t have to decide if she wants to run for something again in the next six months,” a former campaign aide told Politico. “The natural thing to do would be to set up some type of entity that would give her the opportunity to travel and give speeches and preserve her political relationships.”

Harris’ path forward may be uncertain, but her determination is not. Whether as a future governor of California, a 2028 presidential candidate, or a leading figure outside of elected office, Harris is positioning herself to remain a force in American politics.