Kamala Harris stays in the game as the former VP mulls next step: Washington or Sacramento?

Fox News - Apr 11th, 2025
Open on Fox News

Former Vice President Kamala Harris is considering a run for governor of California, with plans to announce her decision by the end of the summer. This comes as she continues to critique the Trump administration and Elon Musk, emphasizing the power of working people over billionaires. Despite her high profile, Harris has been largely absent from public events and media appearances, leading to speculation about her political future. If she decides to run, Harris would be a strong contender in the 2026 race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited.

The potential gubernatorial bid comes at a time when other Democratic candidates, including former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, have already launched their campaigns. Some have criticized Harris for her delayed decision, arguing that California's challenges require immediate attention. However, polls suggest Harris would be the front-runner if she enters the race, with some candidates indicating they would defer to her candidacy. Her decision could also affect her potential 2028 presidential ambitions, as serving as governor of California might preclude a White House run.

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RATING

6.2
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and relevant discussion of Kamala Harris's potential political future, touching on important topics such as leadership within the Democratic Party and the political climate in California. It is generally accurate, though some claims are speculative and would benefit from direct sourcing and verification. The narrative is clear and accessible, but it could be enhanced by including more diverse perspectives and direct quotes to provide a fuller picture of the situation. While the article engages readers interested in U.S. politics, its impact is somewhat limited by its speculative nature and lack of comprehensive transparency. Overall, the article effectively highlights key issues and potential developments but could improve in areas such as balance and source quality to provide a more robust analysis.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The article makes several factual claims about Kamala Harris's potential political moves, such as setting a deadline for her gubernatorial decision and her limited public appearances post-election. These claims are largely accurate according to external sources like Politico and CBS News, which confirm Harris's decision timeline and her low profile since the election. However, the article's assertion about Harris's significant lead in early polls for the Democratic presidential nomination is speculative and should be verified with current polling data. The mention of encouragement from top Democrats for her gubernatorial run is another claim that requires direct corroboration from these individuals or their representatives.

6
Balance

The article primarily focuses on Kamala Harris and her potential political future, offering perspectives from both her supporters and critics within the Democratic Party. While it includes criticism from other California Democrats, such as Antonio Villaraigosa, it lacks a balanced representation of viewpoints from independent analysts or Republican perspectives. The article could improve balance by including more diverse opinions on the implications of Harris's potential candidacy and its impact on the political landscape.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, logically presenting Kamala Harris's potential political plans and the reactions from other political figures. However, the tone occasionally leans towards speculation, particularly when discussing Harris's polling status and potential candidacy impacts. While the narrative is easy to follow, the inclusion of more concrete data or quotes would enhance clarity and support the article's claims more robustly.

6
Source quality

The article cites known figures and events, such as Kamala Harris's past roles and public statements, but lacks direct attribution to primary sources or interviews. It references Politico and CBS News indirectly, which are credible sources, yet the article itself does not provide direct links or quotes from these outlets. This lack of direct sourcing reduces the ability to verify claims independently and assess the reliability of the information presented.

5
Transparency

The article does not explicitly disclose its sources or the methodology behind its claims, which affects transparency. While it mentions events and statements that can be verified, it does not provide a clear basis for some speculative claims, such as Harris's polling advantage. The lack of direct quotes or links to primary sources makes it difficult for readers to assess the article's impartiality or understand the context behind the information presented.

Sources

  1. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kamala-harris-california-governor-summer/
  2. https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2025-04-03/in-o-c-former-vice-president-harris-says-shell-stay-politically-active-im-not-going-anywhere
  3. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/07/kamala-harris-california-governor-decision-deadline-00216737
  4. https://www.foxnews.com/media/harris-completely-shocked-defeat-believed-she-couldve-won-more-time-author-says
  5. https://abc7.com/post/kamala-harris-mulling-run-california-governor-will-make-decision-end-summer-abc-news-sources-say/15988746/