There has been much speculation revolving around Kamala Harris taking a shot at running for California’s governorship instead of attempting another futile run for the presidency. If Harris decides to go through with this, she would be strategizing around opposition that pales in comparison to the formidable contenders she would face in a national level campaign. However, it is worth querying whether her history as San Francisco’s district attorney, state attorney general, a U.S. senator, and ultimately vice president, would elevate her chances in such a regional race. Keeping her plans shrouded in mystery, Harris remains rather tight-lipped, ensuring to keep everyone second-guessing about her future political career.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, ridiculing the mere concept of seeking the governorship, questioned Harris’ underlying intentions as to why someone would willingly want to delve into such troublesome waters. It’s rather humorous that Newsom believes Harris stands a chance to outperform others in a contested primary. But one can’t help but wonder if Harris truly has the courage to announce her gubernatorial ambitions while facing critical public scrutiny.
It will be interesting to watch Harris pitch herself as the emblem of future Democratic leadership, especially after losing to President Donald Trump previously. It is also clear that her association with ex-President Joe Biden is not winning her many favors amongst Democrats who are openly critiquing Biden due to discussions fueled by recent publications about his aging and questionable cognitive capability in office. Making an earnest bid for the presidency in 2028 is expected to challenge Harris with a plethora of contenders.
The challenging task at hand for any candidate is to unify a Democratic Party suffering from a low approval rate and failing to impede Trump’s agenda in Washington. The critical question for the Democrats could potentially be framed as, ‘Who possesses the strength to decimate the MAGA movement?’ It’s arguably laughable to conceive of the idea that Harris could be that catalytic force. Despite having had her chance in the spotlight, many believe she is now a political relic.
It seems plausible that shifting her attention from another national presidential race to a local gubernatorial race might be a safer bet for Harris, as she touts her California allegiance with great pride. After having experienced a roller-coaster run in the vice-presidency and the Senate, it is unlikely she will tirelessly pursue another prestigious title. However, attempting to pitch herself as an experienced pioneer capable of navigating California’s issues with Trump’s administration while dealing with local problems may not be such a simple task.
Harris recently expressed her dismay over what she termed as a ‘wholesale abandonment’ of American ideals under Trump’s administration during a speech in San Francisco. Although she might position herself as a knight in shining armor for California, the race remains a battleground with a handful of predicaments and fierce competition such as former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, ex-Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and former Biden administration health secretary Xavier Becerra.
Even though a few of her Democratic competitors may step aside in her favor, Harris’ navigation of this crowded race is anything but guaranteed. As a seasoned candidate with multiple successful California elections under her belt, Harris might think she holds the upper hand. But, with the primary still a long way off, it’s anyone’s game.
The important query remains, how will Californian voters perceive Harris? Will they view her as a favorite of the state returning home, or a desperate presidential candidate seeking a refuge after failing twice at the national level? Even though Biden defied this typical expectation, the confidence in Harris’ win does not resonate within the voters.
Coming back to California does not automatically pave the way for a face-off against a Republican candidate in November. California’s unique primary system can trap many like a ‘jungle primary.’ This chaotic scenario consists of all candidates, irrespective of their party affiliations, sharing an indiscriminate ballot. The top two who gain the maximum votes proceed to the general election – a system that often leads to strategic ventures.
Harris’ potential adversaries might not be limited to Republicans. The possibility of emerging from the primary facing a Democrat, who would criticize her in much the same vein she’d anticipate from a 2028 bid, is quite real. Skirting such potential Democratic ambushes would need astute planning on her part.
If she decides to return to California, Harris will walk into a minefield of issues needing immediate attention. The homelessness crisis is rampant, playing out visibly on the streets of major cities of her potentially future jurisdiction. Likewise, Newsom, also recently announced that the state must brace itself for a $12 billion deficit, freezing enrollment in a state-funded health care program for illegal immigrants.
Furthermore, multiple fraught problems, including a home insurance crisis and the constant threat posed by destructive wildfires, show no signs of letting up. As clearly shown in the previous election, Republicans won’t hesitate to burden Harris with the state’s reputation for exorbitant taxes, gas prices, utility bills, and over-priced houses, topped with the state’s embrace of irrational liberal social policies.
Yet despite this, Harris still harbors popular support among Democrats. However, her standing has soured for a significant fraction of the electorate who now harbor deep-rooted negative impressions of her. It remains more than reasonable to question Harris’ chance of victory in such polarized conditions.
Certainly, it is not ‘guaranteed’ that Harris would win, and this fact cannot be overstated. While some believe her to have an advantage, several critics see her as a divisive figure, capable of heightening rifts further within the electorate. Perhaps, this might be a mirror reflecting the realm of potential alternatives that the Democratic party is left to ponder upon.
Hence, the key question that now looms is whether she is willing to brave this daunting trip back to Sacramento. She hails from a state that struggles with a plethora of seething issues, from homelessness and extortionate living costs to external scrutiny over its liberal policies. Only time will tell if she is truly capable of tackling these problems while warding off conservative backlash.
To wrap up, it is yet to be seen how Harris’ puzzling political maneuverings will play out. Whether she braves the route back home to challenge for the gubernatorial seat, or dares to weather another run at the presidency, will ultimately reflect much about her ambitions and strategic political acumen.