Kamala Harris Has ‘No Chance at Winning’ CA’s 2026 Governor’s Race

Backlash against a possible Kamala Harris 2026 Gubernatorial run continued on Monday, with more top Republicans, including former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, saying that Harris would have no chance at winning.

While Harris has been mentioned as a possible candidate following her loss in the U.S. Presidential election to Donald Trump, a UC Berkeley poll later in the month showing that nearly half of all Californians were in support of her running for Governor boosted her to the top of all the speculative candidates in the state. Then, during the past weekend, reports came out from aides and others close to Harris that she was split between running for Governor in 2026 and running for President again in 2028.

While some Democrats, like Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) were in support of Harris, many more from across the political spectrum were against it. Pointing out that she would have little chance to win, some, like Congressman Kevin Kiley (R-CA), went on social media to announce it.

“Kamala Harris is now seriously considering a run for California Governor, CNN reports,” said Congressman Kiley on X on Sunday. “She says she’s “not going quietly into the night.” If she runs, California could realistically elect a Republican Governor in 2026.”

However, instead of more Democrats coming to her defense on Monday, a torrent of lawmakers came out against Harris running for Governor. They not only reiterated her slim-to-none chance of winning, but they also pointed out how poorly Harris has performed in longer campaigns. Specifically, her failed Presidential primary run in 2020 and her failed Presidential run this year were cited.

“The Democratic Party is trying to find a new direction,” said McCarthy on Fox News on Monday. “If she came back to California, she would not win the race for governor. So, I mean, she’s got to rethink. I recommend Harris take some time to rest after leaving the White House. I would step away for a little bit, rebuild on issues, and look at the places that you can improve to be able to come back. And the way you come back is really about an issue and an idea to make the country better.”

Also not helping Harris in recent days has been the loss of  some of her top aides, with one moving to Sacramento to work under Governor Gavin Newsom.

“She needs a good support staff if she runs for Governor or if she runs for President again,” explained campaign consultant Angela Winstone to the Globe on Monday. “She’s lost aides, and that hurts her in the short-term, and that means the Governor election. Long-term, she isn’t going to want the same election staff that had her lose this year, so that means rebuilding a campaign.

“Most telling is just how many people are coming out and saying ‘Don’t run for Governor’. The Democrats want a new direction, and in California, they need a new direction. The GOP is starting to come back, and they need younger lawmakers to help make that possible. Harris, Newsom – they’re the old guard now. They’re good for helping fundraise or for supporting with an endorsement. But them running? Newsom is going to have a hell of a time in 2028. And Harris now is known as a loser. She has that to get past.

“Kiley, McCarthy and the others are on the money. Don’t run. Take time off. Because if she does run, well, let’s just say that the GOP will like that very much. Republicans are saying she won’t win, and some Democrats are asking for her not to run for Governor. No one knows what to do with her. That’s the problem.”