Former Vice President Kamala Harris is considering a run for California governor in 2026, but the idea isn’t generating much excitement among Democratic donors in the state, according to a recent report from Politico. Despite her name recognition and status within the party, several top California fundraisers and political insiders say enthusiasm for a Harris gubernatorial campaign is noticeably lacking.
After her defeat to Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, Harris has reportedly been weighing her next political move. Sources close to her say she plans to make a decision on whether to run for governor by the end of the summer. However, early feedback from donors—many of whom supported her previous campaigns—suggests that support is far from guaranteed.
“She still would probably lead,” one Southern California-based Democratic fundraiser told Politico, “but honestly, no one is incredibly pumped.” The fundraiser added that Harris’s potential candidacy seems more like an obligation than an inspiring new chapter for California Democrats.
Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign left behind significant debt despite raising over a billion dollars. Some donors remain frustrated by how that effort ended and are hesitant to reinvest in her political future without a clear plan for success.
“There was more enthusiasm at first,” said Mather Martin, a San Francisco fundraiser who has worked with Harris in the past. “I think it waned a bit.” According to Politico, several high-dollar donors worry that her campaign would reopen painful memories from the 2024 loss and bring renewed scrutiny to her role in the Biden administration.
One major donor who gave six figures to Harris’s presidential campaign described the end of that race as “traumatizing” and said Harris reminds them of the broader disappointment they feel toward Democratic leadership. “We’re living in a nightmare because of the Democrats,” the donor said. “Kamala did the best she could, but she knew about Biden’s cognitive decline too. I feel betrayed.”
Another donor echoed that sentiment, saying the campaign would only revive discussions about her failed presidential run and raise uncomfortable questions about her ties to President Biden. “No one wants to hear about that again,” the donor said.
While Harris still holds strong name recognition, the lack of donor enthusiasm may present a serious hurdle as she contemplates her next move in California politics.
