In the middle of Joe Biden's campaign for reelection as President of the United States, he stepped down and handed the opportunity to his vice president, Kamala Harris. After losing the 2024 election to Donald Trump (and taking a Hawaii vacation that caused a stir), it was unclear what Harris' next political moves might be. There were whispers that she might run for Governor of California in 2026, but she remained mum, saying no decision would be reached until the end of summer in 2025.
True to her
word, she posted a statement to her Instagram account on July 30, announcing she would not be vying for the governor role. "I love this state, its people, and its promise. It is my home," she wrote. "But after deep reflection, I've decided that I will not run for Governor in this election."
On July 31, she was a guest on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," offering up her first official interview since her unsuccessful bid for president. During the conversation, she confirmed her decision, and explained that instead of getting back into politics, she wanted to talk to the public without a campaign behind the reason. "I don't want it to be transactional where I'm asking for their vote," she said. While she won't be throwing her hat in the ring for governor, there are those who think she might be gearing up for something bigger -- another run at the White House.
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Hashtags And Loopholes For A 2028 Election
After Kamala Harris declared she wouldn't be running for Governor of California in the 2026 election, representing her home town along with the rest of the Golden State, she shared more of her motives during an appearance on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." The former Vice President of the United States was on hand to chat about life, politics, and the release of her book, "107 Days," a reference to and the story of her shortened campaign for president in the 2024 election. Harris told the late-night talk-show host that while being a politician was not in the immediate cards for her, "I am always going to be part of the fight."
Of course, X users ran with their own interpretation of Harris's comments, with many believing she turned down the possibility of a governorship in hopes of a bigger office. "She's building deeper connections with people worldwide to secure for presidency in 2028. Smart woman," declared one user on the social media platform. Others used the hashtag #Harris2028, and one person noted, "This isn't a departure. It's a rebrand."
Harris has been running for elected offices even earlier than you may have realized, and she seems to have left some wiggle room when it comes to future campaigning. In her Instagram statement, she notably added the verbal loophole, "for now," in regards to serving in an elected office.
Read the original article on The List.
