While Gov. Gavin Newsom often refers to California as a "nation-state" with global influence, his efforts to lobby for disaster aid are a reminder that the state is still dependent on Washington.

Richard Grenell, a longtime Donald Trump loyalist who is serving as U.S. envoy for special missions in the president's second administration, is floating a potential bid for California governor if former Vice President Kamala Harris also runs.

After flying back to Los Angeles last month, Ms. Harris has stood with firefighters in Altadena, greeted evacuees at a Red Cross shelter and toured fire damage in Pacific Palisades. During her most recent stop, she did little to quell speculation.

Former Vice President Harris would be the Democratic frontrunner for governor of California if she jumped into the Golden State’s 2026 race to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), new polling

The formal announcement of CAA’s re-signing of the vice president arrives days before Harris is set to accept the NAACP Chairman’s Award at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Feb. 22, in one of her first public appearances in the Trump era. The event is set to be televised by CBS.

Yes, we just got over a major election and yes, politicians are already campaigning for an election a year away.

Richard Grenell, President Trump’s “special missions” envoy and interim executive director of the Kennedy Center, left the door open to a run for California governor if former Vice President

From left, LA County Assistant Fire Chief Drew Smith, former Vice President Kamala Harris and LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath tour the Palisades burn area in Pacific Palisades on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

Rather than confronting Trump, California's governor is showing restraint and using flattery to ensure the state gets the federal disaster relief it needs and deserves. That's a smart strategy.

Richard Grenell, a Trump administration official with close ties to the president, told reporters Friday that he would consider running for governor of California in 2026 if former Vice President Kamala Harris enters the race.

(CN) — Former Vice President Kamala would be the Democratic favorite for governor of California if she chooses to enter the race to replace Gavin Newsom in 2026, new polling from Emerson College revealed Thursday morning.