As Vice President Kamala Harris faces mounting uncertainty about her political future following her 2028 presidential campaign collapse, speculation has turned to whether she will pursue the governorship of California in 2026.
However, one of the state’s most influential Democratic voices—former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown—is casting doubt on Harris’s chances of success, even in a state long dominated by Democrats.
HOLY SH*T!🤣🤣🤣
WATCH Kamala Harris in a 1995 ABC piece about San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, where she says she is not his daughter while the report covers his flamboyant lifestyle and relationships with women. pic.twitter.com/dcER7gljm1
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) September 10, 2024
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Brown, who served as speaker of the California State Assembly for nearly 15 years before becoming mayor of San Francisco, said in a recent interview that he doesn’t believe Harris is a natural fit for an executive role such as governor. He also suggested that the competition for the state’s top office will be fierce.
“She may not want to run for governor of the state of California,” Brown said.
“That may not be where she should be going. I think it’s going to be difficult for her to win that job.”
NEW: Willie Brown on Kamala Harris:
“She may not want to run for Governor. I think it will be difficult for her to win that job.”
The former San Francisco Mayor says in 2020 he told Harris not to run for VP…but ask Biden to name her as AG instead. After that, he says, they… pic.twitter.com/s0OoR43IbF
— Elex Michaelson (@Elex_Michaelson) July 23, 2025
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Harris, 60, has not publicly committed to a gubernatorial campaign.
The Vice President’s office has not issued a statement in response to Brown’s remarks, but political observers expect a decision on her next steps by the end of the summer.
Brown, 91, also indicated that the 2026 governor’s race is expected to feature several high-profile and capable candidates.
Among those he named was Rick Caruso, the Los Angeles businessman and former mayoral candidate, who Brown said has “great executive potential.”
“There’s just so many really talented people thinking about that job,” Brown added.
Brown’s comments carry added weight due to his longstanding connection to Harris.
The two were romantically involved in the mid-1990s while Harris was a young prosecutor in Alameda County and Brown was speaker of the Assembly.
Their relationship reportedly lasted from 1994 until 1995, the year Brown was elected mayor of San Francisco.
NEW:
I have obtained another Photo of @KamalaHarris at 29 kissing then married Willie Brown (60) at one of Brown’s political functions.
This is from the November 8th, 1995 edition of the San Luis Obispo County Telegram Tribune.
Look at her kissing a married man.
The same… pic.twitter.com/t5yaHGMMgz
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) August 1, 2024
During their relationship, Brown appointed Harris to two state commissions, drawing scrutiny at the time and again in later political campaigns.
Harris’s political future remains uncertain following her unsuccessful presidential bid, which failed to gain traction nationally despite major fundraising efforts and widespread media attention.
Her campaign struggled in key primary states and ultimately failed to secure any significant delegate support.
In California, Harris previously served as San Francisco District Attorney, then as California Attorney General from 2011 to 2017.
She was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016 before being selected as Joe Biden’s running mate in the 2020 presidential election. She assumed the vice presidency in January 2021.
Since then, Harris has faced criticism over her performance in the White House, particularly on issues related to immigration and public messaging.
Although she remains a prominent figure in national politics, questions about her political viability have grown following the 2028 election cycle.
If Harris decides to run for governor, she would likely face a competitive Democratic primary.
California has not yet seen any formal declarations for the 2026 race, but speculation has centered on a range of possible candidates, including members of Congress, statewide officials, and private sector figures like Caruso.
With Brown signaling that Harris may lack the executive appeal needed for the role, political analysts will closely watch whether she moves forward with a campaign or looks for a different role within or outside of public office.
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