After losing to President Donald J. Trump in the 2024 election, Kamala Harris isn’t fading quietly. The former vice president made a surprise appearance Thursday in California, speaking at a leadership summit for Black women — and signaling she’s not done with politics just yet.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Harris declared to the crowd at the Leading Women Defined gathering, hinting at her next move in what some see as an early preview of her political future.
Harris Eyes 2026 California Governor Race as Biden-Era Faces Fade
Harris, who once served as U.S. Senator from California before joining Joe Biden’s failed administration, is widely rumored to be preparing a run for governor in 2026. With Gavin Newsom barred from seeking re-election due to term limits, the Democrat field is wide open.
Sources close to Harris say a formal decision will come by the end of summer. But one thing is clear: she’s already re-entering the public spotlight — just months after her 2024 defeat by President Trump.
And she’s not the only Biden-era figure aiming for a comeback. Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, another liberal face from the past administration, announced his own campaign for governor just one day prior.
Polls Show Harris Leading Among Democrats — But Will Voters Forget Her Failures?
Despite her disastrous tenure as vice president, early polling among California Democrats shows Harris with a commanding lead. A February survey from Emerson College/Inside California Politics/The Hill found nearly 60% of likely Democrat primary voters would back her.
Still, many Americans — especially seniors, veterans, and hard-working taxpayers — remember the Biden-Harris years for skyrocketing inflation, unchecked crime, and weak international leadership.
And while Harris avoided mentioning Trump by name in her eight-minute speech, she warned of “fear” in recent months — a not-so-subtle jab at the current administration’s America First policies.
“I’m Not Here to Say ‘I Told You So,’” Harris Tells Loyal Crowd
“A lot of what we anticipated has come to pass — more than a few things,” Harris remarked, alluding to her 2024 campaign loss. Flashing a wry smile, she added, “I promised myself I wouldn’t say, ‘I told you so.’”
The crowd, made up largely of progressive activists, cheered her on.
But outside elite events like these, many voters are still grappling with the real consequences of Harris and Biden’s time in office. As President Trump works to restore strength at home and abroad, voters may ask: Do we really want more of the same from the people who got it wrong the first time?
Final Thought: Will Voters Embrace a Comeback — or Reject the Past?
As Kamala Harris flirts with a 2026 gubernatorial run, California — and the nation — may soon be faced with a familiar choice: return to failed liberal leadership, or continue the strong, America First vision that President Trump has reignited.
Stay tuned. The 2026 election is already heating up.