If California Democrats select Kamala Harris to be the next governor of the Golden State, she will have won the first effective Democratic primary of the 2028 presidential race. And somewhere, Jerry “Moonbeam” Brown will be muttering, “Wait, what happened?”

LOS ANGELES — Former Democratic U.S. House member Katie Porter announced Tuesday that she is entering the 2026 contest for California governor, joining a crowded field of candidates that could be upended if former Vice President Kamala Harris joins the race.

The California governor’s race isn’t waiting for former Vice President Kamala Harris to make up her mind whether she’s going to run. Former Democratic Rep. Katie Porter, who represented Orange County in the US House for three terms,

Katie Porter announces her bid for California governor, highlighting her record and fears of "dangerous leaders."

The announcement comes as former vice president Kamala Harris considers her own run for the seat or a possible 2028 presidential run.

The list of candidates for California's next governor has grown with the addition of the former Democratic U.S. House member.

Former congresswoman Katie Porter on Tuesday announced her 2026 candidacy for governor of California. "What California needs now is a little bit of hope and a whole lot of grit. Fresh blood and new ideas.