Vice President Kamala Harris’s smile lit up two large video screens inside a crowded convention hall, but her physical absence was hard to miss. As more than 4,000 California Democratic delegates gathered in Anaheim this weekend to chart a course for the 2026 elections, Harris addressed the crowd via a brief, pre-recorded video — a decision that drew polite applause but little enthusiasm.
Since returning to California in January after losing the 2024 presidential election, Harris has kept a low profile. Speculation has swirled around whether she’ll run for governor in 2026 — a move that would instantly shake up the race and likely make her the front-runner. But her appearance, or lack thereof, at the state party convention left delegates guessing.
“She’s got the name, the resume, but I’m just not sure where her head’s at,” said Ayo Banjo, a delegate from Santa Cruz. “There are more questions than answers right now.”
Harris is expected to make a decision by the end of the summer, weighing a potential gubernatorial bid against other options — including another presidential run or an exit from electoral politics altogether. Meanwhile, eight Democrats have already declared their candidacy to replace outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited.
Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, a longtime Harris ally, hinted she might step aside if Harris enters the race. “My goal is to see a woman governor in 2026,” she said. “And my second goal is that it’s me.”
But some Democrats voiced concern about Harris’s prospects. Critics say her elite image and prior policy positions — like opposing marijuana legalization — could alienate working-class voters. Others worry her candidacy would reflect poorly on a party still recovering from electoral losses.
Even so, Harris remains a formidable figure, with strong donor ties and favorable ratings among women and voters in Los Angeles and the Bay Area. If she enters the race, it won’t be a coronation — but it could be a campaign unlike any California has seen.
