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One of President Donald Trump’s prominent aides has indicated a potential campaign for California governor, contingent on former Vice President Kamala Harris deciding to run.
Richard Grenell, a dedicated Trump supporter serving as U.S. envoy for special missions in the current administration, made his remarks during a media session at the Munich Security Conference in Germany. He concluded the session with the statement, ‘I’ll make a little news.’
Grenell highlighted the 2026 race to succeed the term-limited Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom of California. He asserted, ‘If Kamala Harris runs for governor, I believe that she has such baggage and hundreds of millions of dollars in educating the voters of how terrible she is. It’s a new day in California, and the Republican actually has a shot.’
Political speculation has intensified since Harris faced defeat last November, with observers contemplating her potential next steps. The options seem to narrow down to either a run for governor in 2026 in her home state or aiming for the presidency in 2028.
Harris has held various significant positions, including serving as San Francisco district attorney, California attorney general, and U.S. senator before stepping into her role as vice president.
Insiders close to Harris assert that no definitive decisions have been made regarding her future political maneuvers.
The Democratic field for governor in California, a state heavily skewed in favor of the party, is already crowded. Numerous candidates are already filing their candidacies, including Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, a key ally of Harris, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
Additional potential candidates include former Rep. Katie Porter, who previously competed unsuccessfully for the Democratic Senate nomination, and former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, recognized for his roles in Congress and as California attorney general before joining the Biden administration.
Political analysts believe that should Harris opt to enter the gubernatorial race, she could very well clear the Democratic field, given her prominent status and recognition.
Remarkably, it has been nearly two decades since a Republican candidate succeeded in winning statewide office in California. The last victory came from former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was re-elected in 2006.
Earlier, Grenell considered a run for governor during the 2021 recall election targeted at Newsom, but he ultimately decided against entering the race.
His political résumé includes serving as ambassador to Germany and acting director of national intelligence in Trump’s first term. Recently, Grenell participated in a mission to Venezuela that resulted in the release of six hostages, underlining his active role in international diplomatic efforts.
During his recent visit to Los Angeles, Grenell surveyed the significant wildfire destruction in the area alongside Trump, who criticized local Democratic leaders for their management of the crisis. Last week, Grenell returned to Los Angeles with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin as part of his recovery tour.
Meanwhile, Grenell is not the only Republican eyeing the 2026 gubernatorial race in California to succeed Newsom. Recent reports confirm that Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco plans to announce his candidacy at a forthcoming event in Riverside, California.
Additionally, former Fox News Channel host and conservative commentator Steve Hilton is also contemplating a run for the governor’s office.
In California, the electoral system differs from that of many other states. Here, the top two finishers in a primary election proceed to the general election, regardless of their party affiliations, adding an intriguing dynamic to the political landscape.
The upcoming years promise a lively political climate in California, with various candidates preparing for a potential battle in 2026. The scenarios surrounding Harris and Grenell illustrate the shifting dynamics within both parties as they position themselves for possible electoral advantages.
As speculation continues to build around Harris and Grenell, political experts closely monitor the developing situation, highlighting California’s critical role in shaping national political narratives.
The contributions of Fox News’ Kaitlin Sprague have been included in this report.
