Kamala Harris Abstains from Contesting California Governor Election in 2026, Hints at Future Professional Endeavors
Kamala Harris Decides Against Running for California Governor in 2026
Kamala Harris, the former California Attorney General and current Vice President of the United States, has announced that she will not be running for California governor in 2026. After six months of serious consideration, Harris made this decision following deep reflection, citing a desire to focus on national issues and help elect Democrats across the country.
Harris' life and career began in California, where she served as the district attorney of San Francisco and attorney general before winning a seat in the Senate in 2016. She made history by becoming the second Black woman and the first South Asian American U.S. senator. In 2020, Harris joined Democratic nominee Joe Biden as his running mate, and together they defeated incumbents Donald Trump and Mike Pence to win the White House.
Harris' decision to step away from a potential gubernatorial bid leaves a crowded field of Democratic candidates vying to succeed the term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom. California has an open primary system, meaning the top two vote-getters during the primary contest will advance to the general election regardless of their party affiliations.
Other strong Democratic candidates for California governor include former California State Controller Betty Yee and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and Former California Rep. Katie Porter previously announced their intention to run for governor but suggested they would stand down if Harris entered the race.
Despite stepping away from a potential gubernatorial bid, Harris has not closed the door on a future run for office. She has expressed a desire to focus on national issues and possibly prepare for another presidential run in 2028. Harris has spent much of 2025 out of the political spotlight, contemplating her future options, including the possibility of writing a memoir or starting nonprofit or political groups focused on young voters and democracy.
Harris has also shown interest in supporting other Democratic candidates. In the 2024 presidential race, she tapped Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to join her ticket. Harris stated that Democrats will need to embrace "fresh thinking" and not be "bound by the same playbook" moving forward.
References:
- Kamala Harris won't run for California governor in 2026
- Kamala Harris announces she won't run for California governor in 2026
- Kamala Harris won't run for California governor in 2026
- Kamala Harris announces she won't run for California governor in 2026
- Kamala Harris won't run for California governor in 2026
- Kamala Harris' decision not to run for California governor in 2026 is a significant shift in her political path, as she had originally been considering a return to state politics.
- The media is abuzz with speculation about Kamala Harris' political future, as her decision not to run for California governor opens up the possibility of her pursuing other national issues such as policy-and-legislation, business, or general-news focused roles.
- With Kamala Harris out of the race for California governor, the 2026 gubernatorial election becomes a competitive battleground for a diverse pool of Democratic candidates, each vying to advance California's political landscape in their own unique ways within the broader context of national politics.
