How Kamala Harris could soon be America's second most powerful politician

Kamala Harris had originally hoped to have been working in the White House for two weeks by now; however, she is currently in California, contemplating her next move. In two years, the second most important position in the United States will be vacant, and if she chooses to run, she will automatically become the frontrunner. This is a significant turning point in her career.

California is the largest state in the United States, and the governor wields far greater power than she did as Vice President. Currently, people have already inquired whether Harris will run for governor. To this, she stated: "I've been back home for two weeks and three days. My plan is to stay connected with the community and leaders, understand what support I can provide them, and most importantly, help those who are struggling in this particular crisis, offering any assistance I can, even if it's just a word of encouragement." This shows her dedication to her home state.

Harris made the aforementioned remarks at a shelter in Los Angeles provided for residents displaced by last month's devastating wildfires. Such occasions usually draw politicians, even though Harris is currently an ordinary citizen without clear political ambitions. However, as California's most well-known political figure, she has already intimidated potential competitors. Earlier this week, Attorney General Rob Bonta, who was rumored to be considering a run for governor, stated that he would not run and took the unusual step of publicly supporting Harris. Bonta told Politico: "If she runs, I will support her, I have always supported everything she has done. She will clear the field." His endorsement speaks volumes about Harris's influence.

Despite Harris's crushing defeat in last year's presidential election, she remains difficult to defeat in her home state. Last November, she received three million more votes than Trump in California. She has also won three statewide elections. Harris possesses the rare advantage of "universal name recognition," which is difficult for politicians to achieve in such a large state. It is no wonder that two well-known actors have been elected there. Furthermore, California shows no signs of abandoning the Democratic Party, which has consistently dominated there. The most noteworthy potential candidate on the Republican side is Brian Dahle, a state senator who lost by two million votes in the last election. This highlights the Democratic stronghold in the state.

However, Harris may have her sights set on bigger goals. The mere months of campaigning in 2024 clearly damaged her chances, and she may be eager to launch a full-fledged presidential campaign in 2028. No defeated Democratic presidential candidate has received the presidential nomination again since Adlai Stevenson in 1956, and Stevenson ultimately failed to be elected president. Defeated presidential candidates typically do not launch new campaigns for office. Some continue in the work they were already doing, such as Senators John Kerry, John McCain, and George McGovern. Others position themselves as party elders, such as Hillary Clinton or Bob Dole. Al Gore went a step further, becoming an active advocate for climate change action, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and an Oscar for his efforts. In recent memory, only Mitt Romney attempted a second political act after defeat. The former Massachusetts governor served one term as a Utah senator but decided not to run for re-election. This demonstrates the different paths available to politicians after a major defeat.