By Ric Grenell, a top ally of President Donald Trump and the current interim director of the Kennedy Center, is openly weighing a run for California governor—if Vice President Kamala Harris decides to jump into the 2026 contest.
In a wide-ranging interview with Politico’s The Conversation podcast, set to air Sunday, Grenell said a Harris candidacy could shift the state’s political dynamics enough to warrant serious consideration from Republican contenders. “If Kamala runs, it’s going to make a lot of us take a hard look at it,” he told host Dasha Burns.
Though Grenell insisted he has no immediate plans to enter the race, he confirmed that he recently discussed the possibility with Trump. The content of that conversation remains under wraps, but the implication was clear: the GOP is preparing to mount a serious challenge in a state long dominated by Democrats.
Grenell, who owns a home in the Los Angeles area, has remained an influential figure in Trump’s post-presidency orbit, noted The Guardian. He previously served as ambassador to Germany, acting director of national intelligence, and special envoy for Serbia and Kosovo peace negotiations. Most recently, he played a key role in brokering the release of detained Americans in Venezuela—earning him further praise in Republican circles.
The political stakes in California are expected to escalate sharply should Harris enter the race. Governor Gavin Newsom, term-limited and unable to seek re-election, leaves a vacuum that Harris—once California’s junior U.S. senator—may be poised to fill. Reports suggest a decision from her is likely before the end of summer.
Should she jump in, analysts say the race could become a flashpoint in national politics, energizing donor bases and bringing in outside money from both parties. For Republicans, a high-profile Democrat like Harris could serve as a lightning rod to galvanize opposition in a state where the GOP has long struggled statewide.
During the podcast, Grenell also reflected on recent events at the Kennedy Center, where Trump attended a performance of Les Misérables and was met with a chorus of both boos and cheers. Grenell downplayed the controversy, framing it as evidence of a healthy civic environment. “That’s the whole idea of tolerance,” he said. “We need to be able to sit together, disagree, and still appreciate the arts.”
With speculation mounting and California’s political landscape already shifting, Grenell’s remarks hint at a looming ideological clash that could ripple far beyond the Golden State. Whether it becomes a Harris-Grenell showdown—or something else entirely—2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for the state’s political future.
Grennell wouldn’t be the first famous Republican in the race. Steve Hilton, former Fox News host and adviser to ex-British Prime Minister David Cameron, announced his candidacy for governor of California, promising a populist challenge to the state’s entrenched Democratic establishment. Under the slogan “Make California Golden Again,” Hilton critiques California’s high cost of living, heavy regulations, and perceived governmental inefficiencies, positioning himself as an insurgent Republican voice advocating for greater political balance.
Facing significant electoral hurdles in a state dominated by Democrats, Hilton said he’d welcome potential competition from Vice President Kamala Harris.
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