{"id":15405,"date":"2025-05-26T09:00:42","date_gmt":"2025-05-26T16:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/los-angeles\/?p=15405"},"modified":"2025-05-26T09:00:42","modified_gmt":"2025-05-26T16:00:42","slug":"harris-hasnt-shown-much-interest-in-being-california-governor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/los-angeles\/harris-hasnt-shown-much-interest-in-being-california-governor\/","title":{"rendered":"Harris hasn’t shown much interest in being California governor"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction to the Question of Kamala Harris’ Interest in the California Governor Position<\/h1>\n

The big question in California politics is, \u201cWill Kamala Harris run for governor?\u201d But that\u2019s the wrong question. Far more important is, \u201cShould she?\u201d And that\u2019s not a question to be answered based strictly on her prospects for winning. Initially, at least, the former vice president would be the heavy favorite to succeed termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom \u2014 although, eventually, she could find herself in a tough election fight next year.<\/p>\n

What the State Needs in a Governor<\/h2>\n

Rather, the answer should be determined based on what strengths, goals and ideas she would bring to the table \u2014 her specific plans for fixing California\u2019s enormous problems, her eagerness to fight even political allies to achieve her objectives and her own desire to lead the state\u2019s comeback. She shouldn\u2019t view the job as a consolation prize after losing the presidential election to Donald Trump. Voters would smell that and, anyway, Harris would be miserably bored in the state Capitol dealing with budget minutiae and relatively inexperienced legislative leaders.<\/p>\n

Display of Interest and Plans<\/h2>\n

So far, since returning from Washington to her native state, Harris, 60, has displayed none of the above criteria that California needs in its next governor. But neither did she previously in any noteworthy way as a U.S. senator or \u2014 particularly \u2014 state attorney general. As attorney general, Harris refused to take positions on important ballot measures, including those dealing with her role as California\u2019s so-called top cop \u2014 propositions to stiffen criminal sentences and both abolish and expedite the death penalty. Harris has a record of being overly cautious about taking positions that could alienate interests she deems important to her political career.<\/p>\n

California’s Pressing Issues<\/h2>\n

Sure, Harris isn\u2019t running for anything right now. So, she deserves a pass on issuing 10-point plans to patch up the state. But, look, you don\u2019t need to be a gubernatorial candidate to express concerns about your state. Any resident who\u2019s conscious should be alarmed. \u201cHome prices have skyrocketed as supply slumped over the past three decades,\u201d the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California noted in a report last week. California\u2019s median home price in March was $884,000 \u2014 very tough if not impossible for many middle-class families. The housing shortage is largely due to over-regulation, tangled red tape that slows issuance of building permits and abuse of California\u2019s environmental protection laws. There\u2019s a strong move in the Legislature to ease regulations, but it\u2019s highly controversial. Does Harris have a thought on this? Homeowner insurance rates are rising fast in the aftermath of wildfires. And in many fire-prone regions, traditional policies are impossible to obtain. The next governor needs to fix this.<\/p>\n

Poverty, Homelessness, and Taxes<\/h2>\n

California\u2019s poverty rate is the nation\u2019s highest when the cost of living is considered, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Despite our spending many billions of dollars and regardless of ugly finger-pointing at each other by Newsom and local officials, 187,000 Californians are homeless \u2014 a 35% increase in 17 years. That\u2019s the highest in the nation \u2014 only partly because we\u2019ve got the largest population. Gasoline prices are roughly $1.60 a gallon higher in California than the U.S. average. And two oil refineries are planning to shut down, invariably hiking pump prices even higher. We\u2019re a high-tax state, a fact Newsom is in denial about. We lean too heavily on the wealthy for tax revenue and that produces roller-coaster budget deficits and surpluses depending on the stock market. It\u2019s ridiculous. State taxes should be modernized. But no politician has the guts to attempt that.<\/p>\n

Harris’ Silence on Key Issues<\/h2>\n

Does Harris have anything to say about any of this? She hasn\u2019t so far. Of course, the seven leading announced Democratic candidates have been practically mute themselves on matters that risk aggravating party interest groups. One exception is former Los Angeles Mayor and state Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa, who has been bolder than most of his rivals. Harris has said she\u2019ll decide by the end of summer whether to run for governor in 2026. Maybe she\u2019ll seek the presidency again in 2028 or retire from politics and make a bundle in the private sector.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

Harris could help herself and California\u2019s voters, however, by occasionally voicing some anxiety about her home state. The little we\u2019ve heard from her this year are attacks on Trump. She also has been lending her name to anti-Trump fundraising appeals by the Democratic National Committee. But the last thing California Democrats need is another politician \u2014 especially a potential governor \u2014 telling them that Trump is an evil, ignorant con artist. They\u2019re fully aware of that. They need someone who can tell them how their state can be fixed. If she ran, Harris would be the initial favorite because of her broad name recognition, past election successes in California and fundraising ability. Some current candidates would probably drop out. But there doesn\u2019t seem to be a public clamoring for her to run. Harris needs to start showing people why she should even consider seeking the job. Because, so far, she\u2019s sounding more like a 2028 presidential retread.<\/p>\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n