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In a rare public appearance on Thursday, former Vice President Kamala Harris made it clear that despite the setback of the 2024 election, she isn’t going anywhere.
Addressing a leadership summit for Black women in California, Harris took the stage to give a nearly eight-minute speech that previewed her political future after a hard-fought campaign in which she lost to President Donald Trump.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Harris declared confidently during the Leading Women Defined gathering, a line that immediately grabbed the attention of those in attendance, as well as political observers across the country.
Her words marked an unambiguous commitment to staying active in public life despite the tumultuous end to the 2024 election cycle.
Harris, who had served as a U.S. Senator from California from 2017 until her role as vice president under President Joe Biden, faced an uphill battle in the election against Trump, the former president who reclaimed the White House in a stunning reversal of fortune.
After four years of unprecedented political battles and the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic and economic turmoil, Harris’s candidacy represented a symbol of the Democratic Party's hope to maintain control of the executive branch.
However, despite her tireless campaigning, it was not enough to secure a second term for the Biden administration.
In her speech, Harris did not delve deeply into the specifics of the election results or her loss to Trump, but she made it clear that the challenges faced in recent months were not enough to derail her plans.
She acknowledged the personal and political obstacles, but she also emphasized resilience, a theme that has long defined her career in public service.
Kamala Harris’s career has been marked by an unwavering sense of determination. From her early days as a prosecutor to her rise as California’s first female senator, Harris has consistently broken barriers.
She was a trailblazer as vice president, becoming the first woman, the first African American, and the first South Asian to hold the office.
In the face of setbacks—whether in her 2020 presidential run or in dealing with fierce opposition during her vice presidency—Harris has always returned to the public stage with a fierce commitment to the values that have defined her.
Despite the electoral defeat in 2024, Harris is not retreating from the political spotlight. In fact, her public declaration at the Leading Women Defined summit signals that she may be considering another path to public office—this time, one closer to home.
While she has yet to make an official announcement, there is growing speculation that she might run for governor of California in 2026.
California, a state she knows intimately as both a senator and a former district attorney, is set to hold its gubernatorial election that year, and Harris is widely seen as a potential frontrunner in the race.
Governor Gavin Newsom, who was re-elected to a second term in 2022, is barred by term limits from running again in 2026.
The vacancy left by Newsom’s departure from office has opened the door for a range of Democratic candidates, and many believe that Harris would be a natural choice for the state’s top office.
During her speech, Harris alluded to her future in California politics without directly addressing the question of whether she would seek the governor’s seat.
“I’ve always believed in the power of the people to shape the future,” Harris said, adding, “And the fight for a better tomorrow, for all of us, is far from over.”
Her remarks were carefully crafted to leave the door open while also making it clear that she wasn’t stepping away from public service anytime soon.
Early polling data has indicated that Harris would be a dominant figure in the race for governor if she chooses to run.
A survey conducted by Emerson College Polling, Inside California Politics, and The Hill in February 2025 found that nearly 60% of likely Democratic primary voters would support Harris in a gubernatorial bid.
This commanding lead in early polls positions her as a frontrunner should she decide to enter the race.
However, Harris's potential bid for governor would not be without competition. Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, another prominent figure in the Biden administration, has already thrown his hat into the ring, officially announcing his candidacy for governor just a day before Harris's speech.
Becerra, who served as California's attorney general before joining the Biden administration, is seen as a capable and experienced politician with strong ties to the state’s political establishment.
Though Becerra has the backing of many key Democratic figures in California, Harris’s political pedigree and name recognition could give her a significant advantage.
As a former senator and vice president, Harris remains one of the most recognizable Democratic figures in the country, and her ability to connect with a diverse range of voters, particularly communities of color, could be a major asset in a gubernatorial campaign.
While Harris did not mention President Trump by name during her speech, her comments about the state of the nation in recent months were undoubtedly a response to the political landscape shaped by Trump’s return to the White House.
In January 2025, after his surprising comeback in the 2024 election, Trump resumed the presidency, four years after losing his bid for re-election to Joe Biden.
Trump’s return to office has been a source of deep division and fear for many Americans. Harris’s remarks about the “fear” felt by people across the country in the wake of Trump’s second term resonate with the broader anxieties of the American electorate.
While she refrained from directly criticizing the president, her reference to the current political climate was a subtle but pointed acknowledgment of the challenges that lie ahead for the country under Trump’s leadership.
In her speech, Harris focused on hope and resilience, offering a message that contrasted sharply with the divisiveness and uncertainty of the Trump era.
“We are in a time of fear and uncertainty,” Harris said, “but we cannot let that fear define us. We cannot allow ourselves to be paralyzed by what has happened, but instead, we must focus on what we can do to move forward.”
Kamala Harris’s speech on Thursday was not just a reflection on her political past; it was a statement of intent about the future. She made it clear that while the 2024 election had been a painful loss, it was not the end of her journey in politics.
Whether or not she runs for governor in 2026 remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Harris is not going to fade from the political stage. Her resilience and determination are at the heart of her identity, and they will guide her as she continues to fight for the values she believes in.
As the political world watches closely, Harris’s next steps will be carefully scrutinized. Her decision will not only shape her own future but also have a profound impact on the direction of California politics.
Whether she runs for governor, takes on a different role, or continues to build her influence on the national stage, Kamala Harris’s political journey is far from over.
For now, though, Harris is focused on the task at hand: staying engaged, staying active, and continuing to fight for the future she believes in. And as she reminded the audience at the Leading Women Defined summit, the road ahead may be uncertain, but it is one she is determined to travel
