Kamala Harris is reentering the California campaign arena, endorsing and raising support for two Democratic congressional hopefuls in contests that could shape the balance of power in the House — while also signaling how the former vice president may position herself ahead of the 2028 presidential race.
Harris is expected to headline a Sept. 26 fundraiser in San Diego for Marni von Wilpert, a Democratic city councilmember seeking the newly redrawn 48th Congressional District.
Days later, on Oct. 2, Harris is slated to appear in the Sacramento region on behalf of Richard Pan, a pediatrician and former state senator who is mounting a challenge against Republican Rep. Kevin Kiley in California’s 6th District.
POLITICO first reported the scheduled appearances after obtaining invitations for the events.
The campaign stops represent Harris’ first publicly announced midterm appearances in her home state, arriving as Democrats try to make the most of California’s newly reshaped congressional boundaries.
For Harris, the political stakes are significant. She remains one of the Democratic Party’s most recognizable national figures following her unsuccessful 2024 presidential bid.
Matt Klink, a California political consultant, told The California Post that Harris’ role in these races appears aimed less at winning over swing voters and more at motivating the Democratic base.
“Harris isn’t testing whether she can broaden her appeal. Gavin Newsom’s Prop 50 redistricting already rigged these districts to make Democrats’ job easier. So Kamala’s campaign stops are about turnout, not persuasion.”
Klink added: “Nationalizing these two Congressional races around Kamala Harris hands vulnerable Democrats a gift-wrapped attack ad. It reminds voters of the failed Biden-Harris administration and takes attention off Donald Trump.”
California voters approved Proposition 50 in November 2025 after Texas lawmakers adopted new congressional maps ahead of the 2026 elections.
The measure temporarily replaced California’s existing congressional maps with maps drawn by the Legislature. Those maps are being used for the 2026 elections and are scheduled to remain in effect through 2030, after which the California Citizens Redistricting Commission is set to resume responsibility for congressional maps following the 2030 census.
The measure was pitched by its supporters as California’s response to Texas’ mid-decade redistricting, while opponents argued it weakened California’s independent redistricting system.
The new lines reshaped both districts Harris is now targeting.
In the 48th District, von Wilpert is seeking to flip a seat being vacated by longtime Republican Rep. Darrell Issa, who announced his retirement after the redistricting.
Von Wilpert will face the San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond, a Trump-endorsed Republican in the Nov. 3 general election. The district spans portions of San Diego and Riverside counties, including areas around Palm Springs.
Harris’ second stop will take her to the Sacramento area, where Pan is running against Kiley in the newly configured 6th Congressional District.
Pan, a pediatrician and former state senator, advanced from the June primary alongside Kiley, an incumbent congressman who switched his registration to No Party Preference after the redistricting reshaped his former district.
The district includes portions of Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties and was redrawn under Prop. 50. Kiley chose the district after declining to challenge fellow Republican Rep. Tom McClintock in another redrawn seat.
