It's too early to know whether California's next governor will be a woman, with the race still two years away. But Vice President Kamala Harris' visit to Sacramento on Thursday highlighted that possibility, after the country's first female vice president spent time with two women seeking to become California's first female governor.

At a historic mansion near the state Capitol, Harris met with Democratic state legislators, where she was introduced. Senate Majority Leader Toni Atkins (Democrat of San Diego), the first woman to hold that position.Harris then attended her first fundraiser organized by another woman — a Democrat. Deputy Governor Eleni Kounalakisthe first woman elected to that position.

Atkins and Kounalakis have already begun campaigns to run for governor in 2026, a race that includes at least one other woman, Betty Yee, vice chair of the California Democratic Party. It's going to happen.

Neither was the focus of Mr. Harris' visit. The vice president's message to a friendly local audience Thursday was meant to rally Democrats toward President Biden's re-election. She said this year's election was a “choice between” a “former president who openly speaks of his admiration for dictators” and a Biden administration that is “focused on improving conditions for the people.”

“Split screen doesn't get any wilder than this. And the stakes don't get any higher,” Harris said of the Sacramento, which features marble columns, crystal chandeliers and golden menorahs. Mr. Kounalakis spoke to donors gathered at his parents' spacious home.

Guests included Democratic Reps. Robert Garcia of Long Beach and Doris Matsui of Sacramento. Jody Hicks, President, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California; and numerous lobbyists who do business in statehouses. Donors are asked to donate between $5,000 and $50,000 to attend, according to the invitation, and Kounalakis said the event raised $648,000 for Biden's reelection.

Kounalakis said the vice president's relationship with the lieutenant governor dates back nearly 20 years, to when Harris was first elected San Francisco district attorney. At the time, Kounalakis was running his family's home-building business and regularly helped raise money for Democratic politicians.

“We started having lunch together regularly… around San Francisco to see what it was like to be female professionals and some of the challenges we had.” Konarakis said in an interview. “We compared notes a lot about shoes and suits and where we could get the best ones.”

Kounalakis said he once asked Harris out on a date, but “it wasn't romantic.”

They remained connected as Mr. Harris' career progressed. Ms. Kounalakis and her family contributed at least $29,000 to support Ms. Harris' campaigns for California attorney general in 2010 and 2014, according to campaign finance records. When Kounalakis ran for lieutenant governor in 2018, Harris gave her critical support, “giving my campaign credibility early on,” Kounalakis said.

Two years later, when Joe Biden was looking for a running mate, Kounalakis lobbied his campaign to choose Harris as vice president.

“I felt that there was a lack of recognition for her skills, talents and abilities. Many of us who live in California felt that way,” Kounalakis said.

She set up a Zoom meeting with Biden's search committee and invited elected officials and labor leaders from across California. Each person was given two minutes to testify about Mr. Harris.

“Dolores Huerta's words stuck out to me the most. She looked at the selection committee and said, “We should teach our daughters that being ambitious is a strength, not a weakness.'' Because of that,” Konalakis recalls.

In Sacramento on Thursday, Harris described her visit as a homecoming of sorts after six years in state government as attorney general.

“She has close relationships with so many members of our caucus. We were very happy to welcome her,” said Democratic Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas.

Harris spoke with lawmakers about the benefits California is seeing from Biden's efforts, including federal policies. infrastructure bill And that CHIPS and scientific lawis channeling billions of dollars into domestic semiconductor research and development, and said California is playing a key role in advancing the Democratic agenda that will ultimately shape the nation.

“The message she sent was a reminder of how important the work we do as a state Legislature is,” Rivas said.

Unsurprisingly, Republicans had a different view.

California Republican Party Chairwoman Jessica Millan-Patterson said in a statement that “life is now worse for Californians because of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris,” and that “life is worse now than ever because of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.” criticized the “disastrous policies''.

Mr. Atkins said he appreciated Mr. Harris' discussion with members of Congress. Reproductive rights and access to abortion, will be an important theme for the Democratic Party in this year's election, which will swing the vote up or down. Atkins said Harris' reelection message was moving and Democrats are proud that the nation's first female vice president is a Californian.

What that means for the women trying to break the glass ceiling in California's governor's office remains to be seen.

“We have all of these relationships” with Harris, Atkins said. “She knows Betty Yee, she knows Eleni, and she knows me.”

Atkins said Thursday that there was “no push and pull” to shift Harris' attention to the 2026 California gubernatorial race.

“That day will come,” she said. “But that wasn't today.”