Following her defeat in the 2024 presidential run, rumors are currently making rounds that Vice President Kamala Harris is poised to return to California and set her sights on the gubernatorial race of 2026. However, sources such as Politico have reported that Harris is garnering advice from her team and allies, keeping her eyes on potential future prospects. These could range from a 2028 presidential bid to running for governor in her homeland: California in the span of two years.
In her conversations, Harris has been quoted numerous times stating her intention to fight on, preparing for whatever political battle may come her way. A close associate and former aide to Harris, Brian Brokaw shared his take on Harris’s potential future with Politico. The summary of his quotes would paint a picture of a somewhat hesitant prospect, with reports of Harris being potentially capable, but likely disinterested in a gubernatorial bid.
Brokaw was quoted saying that while Harris could, in theory, throw her hat into the governor’s race, there is hesitancy on whether she actually harbors the desire to do so. However, he does believe that if she did, there’s a strong possibility she could win. This paints an image of a potential governor with a probable victory, yet possible tepid ambition for the role. This uncertainty about her willingness to run the race, much less take the helm of the governor’s office, raises some eyebrows.
Doesn’t exactly read like a glowing recommendation, does it? Rather, it appears that Harris, if she decided and managed to fill Governor Gavin Newsom’s shoes, would simply become yet another detached steward of the state, only using the position to gain momentum for a White House run. We’ve seen this dance before and Californians deserve more than a half-hearted promise.
But the grand question remains: would she even have a guaranteed win walking into the governor’s mansion in Sacramento? When a sole objective of a political run becomes a step to further one’s career, the authenticity of the intent becomes doubtful. As history has shown, successful candidates share a common tale. They saw a problem, believed in their ability to bring forth a solution, and were confident in their toolkit to usher in said changes.
A drive for a political office should not be a personal career elevator but a genuine desire to serve the public with needed solutions. And if this fire doesn’t burn within Harris, she will need to search for another avenue to be productive with her time. If she’s unable to find any other use of it, what could that imply about Harris’s aptitude and interests?
When a former vice president or vice presidential candidate loses the race for an office they probably shouldn’t have vied for, one cannot help but question their strategy to remain pertinent in the political sphere. Kamala Harris, should she decide to pursue the governorship of California, will definitely face no blockers. After all, the political landscape is an open field, welcoming all and sundry.
However, Harris should hold off before getting her ‘Joy Mobile’ up and running. Historical evidence points towards the numerous risks associated with making such a monumental move, especially when the main focus appears to be a self-centered effort to build upon a political resume. The very premise of which doesn’t resonate well in a state that prefers solutions over political posturing.
Politically, it becomes increasingly clear that Harris’s entire motivation within this prospective gubernatorial campaign rings hollow. Simply put, the pursuit of the governorship as a stepping stone for larger, more prestigious ambitions is a thinly veiled attempt at self-promotion and personal career advancement, leaving the needs of Californians back on the West Coast.
Furthermore, the projection of her political trajectory, from Vice President to potential governor, subjected to some sort of indecisiveness, posits a serious question about the genuineness of her intentions. It suggests a form of political manoeuvring instead of a genuine, whole-hearted interest and dedication to the role.
Moreover, the assumption that Harris could automatically charter a successful path to the governorship reflects an apparent and unseemly sense of entitlement. Just because she has a prominent name and extensive political experience doesn’t mean she’s destined for creating impactful change for the state, contrary to what her supporters may wish to believe.
Running for an office just because it appears to boost one’s career isn’t noble, it lacks integrity. The right reason to run should be an absolute zeal to solve problems with practical solutions. If these factors aren’t present, one has to wonder, why then is the race being run? If there isn’t a better and more productive way for Harris to utilize her time, what message does that send about her commitment and responsibility towards the citizens of California?
Looking back in history, there are numerous examples of Vice Presidents and Vice Presidential candidates who have unwisely chosen to contest races for offices they ought not to have, all in an effort to maintain their relevance in the political scene. Kamala Harris needs to question if she wants to avoid this path of self-serving ambition, or if she is ready to face the precipice of risk that such a move could bring.
In conclusion, while there may be no obstacle stopping Kamala Harris from running for governor of California, history stands as a reminder of the risks that come with such a daunting move, particularly if the main motivation is merely personal gain. Thus, it would be prudent for Harris to reconsider her intentions, lest she ends up with a Harris Governorship that is more focused on future prospects than the present needs of Californians.
Kamala Harris: Eyeing California’s Governorship or Career Elevation? appeared first on Real News Now.