Kamala Harris might be eyeing a political comeback in California, but her home-state Democrats aren’t exactly rolling out the red carpet. According to a report from Politico, the former vice president is testing the waters for a 2026 run for governor or possibly gearing up for a third swing at the White House in 2028—but the enthusiasm among her own party is lackluster at best.
At the California Democratic Party’s 2025 State Convention this weekend, even party delegates were publicly voicing doubts. Minola Clark Manson, a delegate from San Diego County, said she’d “probably” vote for Harris if she ran for governor—but admitted she’d do it with “underlying discomfort.” That kind of tepid support isn’t the kind of welcome Harris might have expected in deep-blue California.
Madison Zimmerman, another delegate from rural Shasta County, took a harder line, saying Harris hasn’t engaged with California issues since leaving the Senate and joining the Biden administration. “California isn’t a consolation prize,” she said, pushing back on the notion that Harris could simply parachute back in when it suits her political calendar.
Some of the loudest concern centers on speculation that Harris would treat the governorship as little more than a launchpad for her next presidential run. Carol Weiss, a delegate from Sunnyvale, told Politico she worried Harris would use the role “as a placeholder” en route to another White House bid, adding, “That would make me feel like I’m wasting my vote. I want a strong governor for at least four years.”
The skepticism isn’t confined to California. In South Carolina—a key early primary state—Democratic voices aren’t exactly clamoring for a Harris 2028 revival either. Despite having run for president twice and serving as VP, Harris left office with minimal fanfare and a string of electoral defeats, including a loss to Donald Trump in 2024 where she failed to secure a single swing state or the national popular vote.
Still, Harris isn’t without defenders. Amanda Loveday, a former executive director of the South Carolina Democratic Party, said Harris should run for governor and “be the best governor California has ever had.” Michelle Brandt, another South Carolina Democrat, went so far as to say a third presidential bid from Harris would be “exciting.”
But these voices seem to be the exception, not the rule. In fact, Harris’ struggle for political footing within her own party mirrors broader Democratic concerns over leadership heading into the next election cycles. With Gavin Newsom term-limited in California and Joe Biden no longer on the ballot, the bench is thin—and many in the party are unsure if Harris can fill the void.
The public response to her recent re-emergence hasn’t helped. After staying largely out of the spotlight since leaving office in January, Harris returned with a speech at the Emerge 20th Anniversary Gala in San Francisco. But the reaction was muted, and critics quickly noted she offered little substance on California-specific issues—raising more eyebrows about her motives.
As one observer put it, the former VP may be politically homeless: too ambitious for California’s governorship, but too damaged to lead a national ticket again.
If Harris is hoping to resurrect her career, she’ll need more than recycled talking points and nostalgic loyalty. Voters are signaling they want commitment, not convenience—and unless Harris can offer a convincing reason for her political comeback, even her own party might leave her behind.
