Grenell considers 2026 California governor run, targets Harris

Richard Grenell, a Trump administration official, has indicated he may run for California governor in 2026 if former Vice President Kamala Harris enters the race. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Grenell stated he believes Harris is vulnerable due to her political history, suggesting that the Republican Party might have a legitimate chance in the heavily Democratic state. He previously considered a gubernatorial run during the 2021 recall election against current Governor Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited in 2026. Polls show Harris as the front-runner among Democratic primary voters, garnering significant support, while she has yet to confirm her candidacy. Meanwhile, the Democratic field is expected to be crowded, with other prominent figures also eyeing the position. Harris remains non-committal about her future political plans while focusing on community engagement following recent wildfire damage in California.