Kamala Harris’ nightmare loss to Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election may have just gone from bad to worse — because she’s about to relive the humiliating defeat.
Harris has ambitions to continue her political career despite the landslide loss to Trump last November, and is preparing a run for governor of California.
If Harris, who is polling as a potential favorite amongst California voters, does decide to run… a top Trump ally has indicated he may enter the race as well.
And the move could be devastating for Harris’ aspirations.
Richard “Ric” Grenell, a staunch ally of Donald Trump and interim executive director of the Kennedy Center, said he’s seriously considering a run for California governor in 2026.
But only if Harris enters the race.
On Politico’s podcast The Conversation with Dasha Burns, Grenell made headlines about the the critical governor’s race saying:
“If Kamala runs … I think there’s a whole bunch of Republicans who are going to have to take a look at it — not just me.”
Grenell emphasized that while he’s discussed the idea with Trump, he’s not currently running.
Harris, who is a former California senator, is reportedly weighing a run and is expected to decide by late summer.
However, political experts believe that a potential Harris candidacy might energize the Republican base by bringing national attention and fundraising power to a race typically dominated by Democrats.
As previously reported by The Horn News, Harris is the favorite to run amongst Republicans.
The California Republican Party is backing Harris, because they believe her unpopularity will energize conservative donors and provide a high-profile target for attacks on Democratic Party nepotism and incompetence.
While Republicans acknowledge they face long odds in the deep-blue state, GOP candidates and strategists see Harris as the ideal opponent to mobilize their voter base and attract national attention.
“I sense that this is the best shot for someone to be elected statewide in California who’s not a Democrat for at least 20 years, and I think the evident reason for that is the failure of one-party rule,” conservative commentator Steve Hilton said. “The candidate who’s going to win in 2026, regardless of party label, is the change candidate. Kamala Harris is the one who least represents change.”
Republican strategists believe a Harris candidacy could attract significant out-of-state funding and national attention that would make the otherwise unwinnable race a competitive runoff.
“I think it could attract some donors from around the country who might be interested in taking another pound of flesh,” Republican political consultant Dave Gilliard said. “Money is the biggest obstacle other than the registration because the donor world doesn’t think a Republican can be elected governor anymore.”
While Grenell has said as of now that he is not running, he resides in the Los Angeles area and served as Trump’s ambassador to Germany, acting director of national intelligence, and special envoy for late‑term diplomatic missions.
His current appointment at the Kennedy Center came in February after Trump overhauled its leadership.
During the podcast interview, he spoke on Trump’s recent Kennedy Center appearance during a performance of Les Misérables, acknowledging mixed audience reactions. He argued that the venue has become “much more tolerant”, noting that patrons of differing political views mingle without incident — exemplifying artistic tolerance