Kamala Harris at a Crossroads: Will She Choose California Governor or the 2028 White House?

CNN — Kamala Harris is at the center of a heated debate among her top aides and close allies over her political future. The question: Should she return to California to run for governor in 2026, or set her sights on a second bid for the presidency in 2028?

The stakes are high. Some in Harris’ camp believe she is well-positioned for another presidential run, buoyed by her surprising ability to raise over $1 billion during her swift 100-day campaign in 2024. They argue that with time to further improve her reputation, the Democratic nomination could be hers for the taking.

Others, however, express concerns. A longer campaign in 2028 would pit Harris against formidable Democratic contenders who deferred to Joe Biden in 2024 and subsequently to Harris. Skeptics worry she could fizzle in a competitive primary, risking the embarrassment of rejection by her own party after losing to Donald Trump in the 2024 general election.

The California governor’s race, by contrast, appears to be an easy win. Harris, who served as the state’s attorney general for six years and represented California in the U.S. Senate for four years, is a proven statewide winner. Several prominent California Democrats have privately indicated they would step aside if she entered the race, making her the clear frontrunner.

For Harris, the choice will define her political legacy: a return to her California roots or another shot at becoming the nation’s first woman president. Either path is fraught with challenges — and potential rewards.