Kamala Harris’ potential run for California governor delights Republicans: 'She represents least change'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The speculation about Kamala Harris running for California governor has not only pleased Democrats but also delighted her arch-enemies, the Republicans.

The former vice president has given herself until late summer to decide whether to step down from politics after more than 20 years in political office, run for governor of California in 2026, or make a third run for the presidency in 2028.

However, Republicans are acting as if Harris is already in the race, with many hoping she'll be such a disaster as a governor that it would finally turn the state of California red, the Daily Wire reported.

The last time Republicans achieved a statewide victory in California was all the way back in 2006, when Hollywood hunk Arnold Schwarzenegger was re-elected governor.

California is a tightly Democratic state, with 59 percent of voters supporting Harris over Donald Trump in 2024. However, Harris underperformed former president Joe Biden's 2020 performance across the state, as Trump flipped purple counties and made gains in blue areas.

Kamala Harris’ potential run for California governor 

Kamala Harris, who has largely kept out of the public eye since losing the November presidential election to Donald Trump, is genuinely eyeing the top role as she is mulling the decision to return to state politics.

The California native first signaled about her potential governor run at a pre-Oscar party, where attendees asked about running for the position.

With Governor Gavin Newsom's tenure ending in 2026, Harris has remained vague regarding her future, suggesting at an April appearance, "I'll see you out there. I'm not going anywhere."

The 60-year-old has also set up an LLC known as 'Pioneer49' in her home state of California. As per a report by Politico, the organisation includes former chief of staff Sheila Nix, senior advisers Ike Irby and Kirsten Allen, as well as her White House chief of staff Lorraine Voles.

The report also suggested that Harris has repeatedly shared the message “I am staying in this fight” with supporters in private phone calls and gatherings.

Republicans celebrate Kamala Harris’ gubernatorial run

While Kamala Harris is yet to decide on running for California governor, many Republicans have already planned to bring out their big guns.

Harris’s possible entry is already bringing GOP candidates tactical benefits, allowing them to run against a high-profile adversary who’s likely to energize donors and the conservative rank-and-file.

Conservative pundit Steve Hilton and firebrand Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco have launched campaigns focusing on what they describe as failing Democratic governance and citing Harris as a prominent example.

In a recent email plea, Hilton informed contributors that Harris was preparing to run, saying that a Democratic "coronation" would be catastrophic for the state.

“I’d jump for joy,” Bianco said, before adding, “She’s the perfect example of everything Californians are sick of – soft on crime, blind to our problems, and more focused on DC than Main Street.

“She won two statewide elections, and she won in California when she was running for president. But those votes didn’t go to Kamala Harris. Those votes went against Donald Trump,” he continued.

Republican strategist Dave Gilliard echoed similar sentiments, adding that her candidacy would be a perfect scenario for Republicans.

“I think it could attract some donors from around the country who might be interested in taking another pound of flesh,” Gilliard stated, according to Politico.

“Money is the biggest obstacle other than the registration because the donor world doesn’t think a Republican can be elected governor anymore,” he continued.

There's also the prospect that a Harris campaign may entice Elon Musk to end his self-imposed political break, helping to erase Republicans’ fundraising deficit. 

Musk has poured scorn on Harris, who recently criticized Tesla CEO’s failed involvement in a Wisconsin judge race.

Conservative pundit Steve Hilton slammed Harris’ potential run, claiming she “is the one who least represents change.”

“I sense that this is the best shot for someone to be elected statewide in California who’s not a Democrat for at least 20 years, and I think the evident reason for that is the failure of one-party rule.”

“The candidate who’s going to win in 2026, regardless of party label, is the change candidate. Kamala Harris is the one who least represents change,” he stated.