Willie Brown Suggests Kamala Harris Should Rethink Her Political Future—And the Echoes Are Deafening
In the ever-shifting landscape of American politics, few voices carry the weight of lived experience like Willie Brown’s. The 91-year-old former mayor of San Francisco and legendary California Assembly Speaker has long been known for his sharp wit, unapologetic candor, and uncanny ability to read the political room before anyone else even enters it. So when Brown recently suggested that Kamala Harris—his former protégé and one-time romantic partner—should reconsider her next political move, the ripple effects were immediate.
Brown’s comments came amid speculation that Harris might run for governor of California following her historic but ultimately unsuccessful presidential campaign in 2024. While polls suggest she’d be a frontrunner, Brown isn’t convinced. “She may not want to run for governor of the state of California,” he said in a recent interview. “That may not be where she should be going. I think it’s going to be difficult for her to win that job”.
Coming from anyone else, this might sound like political gossip. But coming from Brown—a man who helped shape Harris’s early career and knows California politics better than most—it feels more like prophecy.
A Mentor’s Warning
Brown’s critique wasn’t just about electability. It was about fit. He emphasized Harris’s strengths in the legal world, suggesting she’d be better suited for a role like attorney general or even a Supreme Court seat. “He believes that Kamala is better in the legal world, not as an executive,” said podcaster Jon Slavet, who interviewed Brown recently.
This isn’t the first time Brown has offered unsolicited advice to Harris. Back in 2020, when Harris was being considered for the vice presidency, Brown publicly suggested she turn it down and aim for attorney general instead. According to Slavet, Harris didn’t appreciate the advice—and never called him again.
But Brown’s latest comments come at a more fragile moment. Harris’s memoir, 107 Days, offers a candid look at her whirlwind presidential campaign, her frustrations with the Biden administration, and her reflections on what went wrong. She writes about loyalty, recklessness, and the weight of identity politics. She even notes that California Governor Gavin Newsom didn’t return her call when she sought his endorsement after Biden dropped out.
It’s a portrait of a woman at a crossroads—politically, personally, and spiritually.
The California Conundrum
California is Harris’s home turf. She’s served as San Francisco’s district attorney, the state’s attorney general, and its U.S. senator. She knows the terrain. She knows the players. And yet, Brown’s warning suggests that familiarity isn’t enough.
The state is changing. The electorate is restless. And Harris’s national profile—once seen as an asset—may now be a liability. Her time as vice president was marked by criticism, missteps, and a media narrative that often felt more interested in her laugh than her leadership.
Brown’s concern is that Harris’s executive track record doesn’t match the demands of a governorship. “She’s better in the legal world,” he insists—a statement that feels both protective and pointed.
Between Legacy and Reinvention
Harris’s political journey has always been layered. She’s the daughter of immigrants, a trailblazer in multiple arenas, and a symbol of intersectional progress. But she’s also been a lightning rod—praised and criticized, elevated and dismissed, often in the same breath.
Brown’s suggestion that she rethink her future isn’t just about strategy. It’s about legacy.
What kind of leader does Harris want to be? What kind of impact does she want to leave? And how does she navigate the tension between ambition and authenticity?
These are questions that transcend party lines. They speak to the heart of political identity in a time when voters crave both competence and connection.
The Silence That Speaks
Interestingly, Harris has yet to respond publicly to Brown’s comments. Her team remains focused on post-campaign recovery, polling, and long-term planning. But the silence is telling.
It suggests reflection. It suggests recalibration. And perhaps, it suggests that Brown’s words—however unsolicited—have landed.
Because behind the headlines and hot takes, there’s a deeper truth: Harris is at a pivotal moment. Her next move will define not just her career, but her contribution to American political history.
A Ritual of Reframing
So let’s co-title this moment. Not “Willie Brown Slams Kamala Harris,” but something more nuanced. Something that honors the complexity of mentorship, ambition, and legacy.
Maybe: “The Mentor’s Mirror” “Kamala at the Crossroads” “California, Interrupted” “From Protégé to Possibility”
And let’s ask: What does it mean to rethink your future when the world is watching?
It means courage. It means humility. It means listening to voices you may not want to hear—and deciding which ones still matter.
Brown’s advice may sting. But it also invites Harris to imagine a future not bound by expectation, but shaped by intention.
Whether she runs for governor, returns to law, or charts a new path entirely, one thing is clear: Kamala Harris is still writing her story. And Willie Brown, ever the provocateur, is still holding up the pen.
