Richard Grenell’s Potential Run for California Governor: A Political Chess Game
This week, Richard Grenell, a prominent ally of former President Donald Trump and the special presidential envoy, engaged in a conversation with Trump regarding the possibility of launching a gubernatorial campaign in California. Grenell, who is also the interim executive director of the Kennedy Center, shared his thoughts during an interview on “The Conversation” with Dasha Burns. He stated that he would “have to take a look” at the prospect of running if former Vice President Kamala Harris decides to enter the race.
“I want to see if Kamala runs. If Kamala runs, I think a lot of Republicans will have to consider their options, not just me,” Grenell remarked during the interview taped on Thursday, set to air in full on Sunday. “Right now, I’m not running for governor, but her candidacy would certainly make me think twice.”
Grenell did not delve into the specifics of his recent discussions with Trump about a potential run, but it’s clear that the dynamics of the California political landscape could shift dramatically depending on Harris’s decision, expected by the end of summer.
Having a residence in the Los Angeles area, Grenell accompanied Trump earlier this year to assess wildfire damage in California—a state that has seen Trump sharply criticize the response of Governor Gavin Newsom to both the January wildfires and recent anti-immigration protests. The tension has escalated, with Trump dispatching hundreds of additional military personnel to Los Angeles, which has sparked a heated legal dispute with Newsom over the deployment of the National Guard, an action taken against the Governor’s wishes.
In a conversation with POLITICO, Grenell expressed his belief that the Trump administration holds greater credibility than Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass—even among Democrats. “There is zero confidence in Karen Bass and Gavin Newsom right now from Democrats,” he asserted. “When Donald Trump decided to send in law enforcement and the National Guard, I heard many Democrats say, ‘Thank God,’ because they feel Karen Bass lacks the leadership qualities needed.”
Previously, Grenell had contemplated a gubernatorial campaign ahead of the unsuccessful 2021 attempt to recall Newsom, illustrating his long-standing interest in California politics.
Additionally, Grenell weighed in on Trump’s recent visit to the Kennedy Center to watch a performance of “Les Misérables.” Despite the mixed reactions Trump garnered, Grenell contended that the Kennedy Center has become “much more tolerant.” He elaborated, “We want people here who can sit next to one another, even if they voted for entirely different candidates. The atmosphere during ‘Les Mis’ encourages unity over division.”
