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After months of speculation about her political future, former vice president and San Francisco Bay Area native Kamala Harris ruled out one option: California governor.
Harris said Wednesday that he will not be taking part in the 2026 race, serving his second term and replacing Gov. Gavin Newsom, who cannot run again. Harris didn’t say what she was going to do next, but her choice is the most obvious indication that she might still be considering a third run for the president.
“I love this state, its people, and its promises. It’s my home. But after deep reflection, I have decided not to run for governor in this election,” Harris said in a statement. “At this point, my leadership and public services are not in my elected office. I look forward to going back and listening to the American people, electing Democrats from across the country who are fearlessly fighting, and sharing details about my plans for the next few months.”
Since losing to President Trump in November, Harris, 60, has taken most of the year out of the public eye, returning to life in Brentwood, talking to her confidants about her options.
She is mostly in the spotlight and occasionally criticizes Trump’s actions, but rarely positions herself as a face of resistance. In recent months she greeted her seniors at Compton’s alumni high school, made a surprising appearance at the Met Gala in New York City, and attended the wedding of Apple’s co-founder Steve Jobs’ daughter in the UK countryside over the weekend. She also reportedly wrote a memoir and is considering starting a nonprofit that focuses on young voters and the Democracy or Political Action Committee.
Serving as California’s governor, the anti-Trump movement breakwater, would have given Harris another shot at her political rivalry and the opportunity to rewrite the end of her political story after a career that broke the barriers.
Harris is the first woman to be elected district attorney in San Francisco, the first woman to be elected to California Attorney General, the first woman of color to be elected to the US Senate from California, and the first woman to be elected to the US Senate.
Harris would have raced with great advantages, including name recognition and a vast national network of donors. But she would also have run with an extraordinary amount of luggage for governoral candidates, including a defeat to Trump.
Harris said he admires and respects civil servants, but it is necessary to recognize that “our politics, government, and our systems have reached a cusp in this moment of crisis and have failed too often by the American people.”
“We need to look ahead and be willing to pursue change through new ways and fresh thinking — commit to our same values and principles, but not bound by the same playbook,” the former vice president said in her writing.
Harris’ longtime adviser, veteran Democratic strategist Sean Clegg, said the former vice president has finally decided that her next chapter will focus on political pursuits outside the elected office.
“I think she heard her gut. … Obviously she had to consider it, so she had to consider it, but she didn’t feel like she was just called,” said Clegg, who has been working on Harris’ campaign.
Former Senator Lafonza Butler, a longtime friend of Harris, has been appointed to fill the rest of the term of the late Senator Diane Feinstein.
“I don’t think we should jump on the conclusion,” Butler said.
Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Long Beach) said he knows it’s a “hard decision” for Harris. However, he said he hopes Harris will become a key player in next year’s midterm elections.
“I think she feels that at this moment Democrats need to get Congress back and help Democrats across the country. She feels genuinely responsible for where the country is heading,” said Garcia, who has known Harris for over a decade. She vowed him in 2014 when he was first elected mayor of Long Beach in 2014 before he became a member of the Council.
Harris’ decision to leave the governor’s race could reinforce the field as key donors and potential candidates emerge from the bystanders. Hours after Harris made the decision, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the support of Lt. Colonel Eleni Kunarakis at the governor’s race.
“The decision by Kamala Harris is a strategic setback for candidates who are still caught up in the billion-dollar presidential loss,” said Los Antonio Villaraigosa, a spokesman for two Democrats who wanted to fill Harris and Newsm’s seats, former mayor of Los Angeles, Katie Porter, Katie Porter, or Luis Viscaino, who was a leading Democrat for Katie Porter. “She is a walking wounded, and this move clearly shows the need to re-establish her brand. It’s a great relief for Democratic leaders and donors across California who have lost confidence in her despite their loyalty.”
While candidates still have months to file paperwork before the June 2nd primary, Harris faced pressure to make a decision earlier as courtesy of candidates who are already in the race.
Her bow is “an absolute relief sigh for candidates who were trying to gather money, build a profile and prepare for this governor’s contest,” said Paul Mitchell, vice president of a voter data company that works with Democrats and non-partisan campaigns.
Without Harris, there is still a shortage of candidates with actual star power in the field of candidates for the governor’s mansion. The list of running Democrats is read as if who is who in the political power of the Golden State, but no one is a common name.
In addition to Villaraigosa and Porter, governor’s hopes include Toni Atkins, former Senate Speaker and Senate Speaker. Xavier Betera, former California Attorney General and Chief Cabinet Secretary of Biden. Stephen Cloobeck, philanthropist and businessman. Kunarakis, the state’s lieutenant governor. Tony Thurmond, public leader. and Betty Yi, the former state controller.
Limited public voting has shown that Porter has the advantage over her democratic rivals without Harris on the field, but many voters are still undecided.
The Democratic governor candidate who placed emphasis on Harris’ decision received praise from her.
Porter called Harris a “focused leader” and recalls the work he did together during the housing crisis. (She also quickly sent a fundraising email to supporters, noting that Harris had decided not to run.) Kunarakis called her “a trail blazer, a fearless fighter for justice, and a dear friend.”
Becerra pointed to their service in Biden’s cabinet, noting that he replaced Harris as California’s attorney general. “She has always put her working family first,” he said. Villaraigosa said he knew the former vice president would “continue to be a powerful voice for justice, equality and opportunity.”
The key question is whether Harris will be heavier in the race. This includes many politicians she has long-standing relationships with. Sources familiar with Harris’ ideas say they are still considering whether or how to approach the governor’s race and other California contests. Harris has already received requests for approval from federal and local officials, the person said.
There are two well-known Republicans in the race. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco says he “welcome” the chance to run with Harris. And conservative commentator Steve Hilton called Harris’ decision “great news” because “the last thing this state needs is another useless machine politician that makes things even worse.”
Lorena Gonzalez, head of the powerful California Labor Federation, said one outcome is certain.
“We’re basically seeing a year and months of political mayhem,” she said, between the newly competitive 2026 governor race and the potential special elections about redrawing the November council district.
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