SACRAMENTO, Calif. (BN24) — Kamala Harris, the Democratic former vice president and 2024 presidential candidate, announced Wednesday she will not enter the 2026 race for California governor, ending speculation about her potential return to elected office in her home state.
“I have given serious thought to asking the people of California for the privilege to serve as their Governor. I love this state, its people, and its promise. It is my home,” Harris said in a statement. “But after deep reflection, I’ve decided that I will not run for Governor in this election.”
Her announcement closes the door on what many believed would be a high-profile gubernatorial campaign, but leaves open the possibility of another run for national office, potentially in the 2028 presidential election.
“For now, my leadership — and public service — will not be in elected office,” Harris said. “I look forward to getting back out and listening to the American people, helping elect Democrats across the nation who will fight fearlessly, and sharing more details in the months ahead about my own plans.”
Harris, the first woman and first person of Black and South Asian descent to serve as vice president, has kept a low profile since her loss to President Donald Trump in the 2024 election. Her decision not to pursue the governorship signals a shift toward supporting Democratic candidates nationwide rather than seeking an immediate return to power herself.
California’s current governor, Democrat Gavin Newsom, is barred from seeking a third term due to term limits. His departure from office has already drawn a wave of interest from prominent Democrats.
Declared candidates include Xavier Becerra, the former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary under President Joe Biden, and former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, who has built a reputation as a progressive firebrand. The field is expected to grow as the June 2026 primary approaches.
Harris, who served as California’s attorney general and U.S. senator before joining the Biden ticket in 2020, remains a towering figure in Democratic politics. Her decision not to run ensures the gubernatorial race will move forward without the influence of a nationally recognized candidate, though her political future remains far from settled.
