Kamala Harris faces first big test for presidential run as she explodes back on to political stage

Kamala Harris is stepping back into California’s political spotlight, throwing her weight behind two Democratic House candidates in races that could help determine control of Congress — and offering an early glimpse at how the former vice president plans to operate ahead of the 2028 presidential cycle.

Harris is set to headline a Sept. 26 fundraiser in San Diego for Democratic City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert, who is running for the newly redrawn 48th Congressional District.

On Oct. 2, Harris is scheduled to campaign in the Sacramento area for former state senator and pediatrician Richard Pan, who is challenging Rep. Kevin Kiley in California’s 6th District.

The plans were first reported by POLITICO, which obtained invitations to the events.

The appearances mark Harris’ first announced midterm campaign stops in her home state and come as Democrats look to capitalize on California’s newly redrawn congressional map.

The stakes are particularly notable for Harris, who remains a prominent Democratic figure after her unsuccessful 2024 presidential campaign.

Matt Klink, a California-based political consultant, told The California Post that Harris’ appearances are less about expanding her political coalition than energizing Democratic voters.

“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.

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