Desperate times call for desperate measures. As you've probably heard, California has a single primary for governor. There is no Democrat or Republican primary. This means, regardless of party, the two highest primary vote-getters advance to the general election in November. There was already a nightmare scenario brewing for Democrats as polling shows the two Republican candidates, Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco, leading a crowd of uninspiring Democrats.
Eric Swalwell was polling third until he dropped out of the governor’s race Sunday night amid several accusations of sexual misconduct and even rape. This has left Democrats scrambling to make sure they have at least one party member in the two-candidate general election for governor. That has some asking if failed presidential candidate Kamala Harris is the answer. A text poll has gone out to test if Harris is the solution to the Democrats' governorship election woes.
Republican Amy Reichart says she saw this coming. (READ)
California Democrats are about to “Release The Kamala!”
— Amy Reichert (@amyforsandiego) April 13, 2026
I told @RCPolitics reporter @susancrabtree Kamala will jump in once Eric Swalwell imploded… and right on cue, a poll is already asking voters if they’d support Kamala Harris.
Watch what happens next. https://t.co/tK3Ra89Ttx pic.twitter.com/zgAdehy4ro
Swalwell was unlikable enough. Now, billionaire Tom Steyer and the abrasive and abusive Katie Porter look to be Democrats' best hope unless there is a Kamala miracle.
We know from experience that winning primaries is not something Harris is known for. Posters say it doesn’t mean she won’t foolishly try again.
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You really think so?
— Michael Oxford - AKA The Santa Cruz Mountain Goat (@SCMountainGoat) April 13, 2026
It’s pretty late in the game.
Never stopped her before. pic.twitter.com/OpapFl13ma
— Amy Reichert (@amyforsandiego) April 13, 2026
Wise is not something anyone sane has ever accused Harris of being.
If Harris does try, she’ll already be at a disadvantage since the primary ballot is already finalized.
Don’t think she wants to be “Governor!”…And isn’t it too late for Primary ballot?
— Let’s go Brandon! 🇺🇸🙏🙏🙏 (@PaulaDeplorable) April 13, 2026
She’s a drunk who wants to be PRESIDENT!
What-? Didn’t the deadline to register as a candidate already expire?
— Shay Mandrake (@MandrakeShay) April 13, 2026
Registration Deadline for California Governor 2026
The deadline for candidates to register to run for governor in California for the 2026 election is March 6, 2026.
Harris would have to be a write-in candidate.
Democrats already have to contend with Swalwell still being on the ballot despite dropping out. That, along with a possible write-in campaign for Harris, will only siphon much-needed votes from the other Democrat candidates.
If Kamala Harris does this write-in campaign, it will split the Democrat vote even further because it's too late to change the names on the ballots. That'd help Republicans advance both Hilton and Bianco to the general election.
— Kevin Briggs (@KevinBriggs1776) April 13, 2026
Yes and it’s delicious pic.twitter.com/1NoDQ6hyL8
— Amy Reichert (@amyforsandiego) April 13, 2026
I hope you are right. California is the crown jewel and they will do anything they can to hold onto it.
— eagle_bird (@EagleBird1233) April 13, 2026
I'm pretty sure Kamala is too busy teasing her upcoming presidential campaign...
— Jimmy Simmons (@ArticulateTHGHT) April 13, 2026
This is all speculation at this point. Kamala Harris has teased a 2028 run for president. Her time to seriously contend for California governor was months ago. It seems unlikely she’d want an embarrassing write-in primary loss before mounting another run for the White House. If she fails in the gubernatorial primary, there’s no chance as a write-in candidate in the general election. California election rules dictate that only the top two primary candidates will be on the November ballot. No write-ins are allowed.
