Kamala Harris has announced her decision to forgo a bid for the California governorship in 2026.
Kamala Harris Passes on California Governor Race, Focuses on Vice Presidency and Biden Agenda
Democratic former US Vice President Kamala Harris has announced that she will not run for governor of California in the current election, citing a focus on her current role and supporting President Biden's agenda as her reason for the decision [1][2].
Harris, who served as the US Vice President under President Joe Biden from 2021 to the present, has kept a relatively low profile since losing the presidential election to Republican Donald Trump in 2024. Prior to her tenure as Vice President, Harris served as a US Senator for California from 2017 to 2021.
In a statement made on Wednesday, Harris emphasized her love for California, its people, and its promise, stating that she has given serious thought to running for governor, but has ultimately decided not to run in the current election [1].
"I love California, its people, and its promise. It is my home," Harris said in her statement. "I have given serious thought to running for governor, but I have decided not to run in this election."
Harris's decision not to run for governor may indicate a focus on other political opportunities in the future, such as a potential presidential bid in 2028. However, she has not made any official announcements in that regard.
The California governor's race remains highly competitive without Harris's candidacy, with no clear front-runner emerging as of early August 2025 [3]. California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, cannot run for re-election due to term limits. Xavier Becerra, who served as health and human services director under former President Joe Biden, has announced his candidacy for governor of California.
In her statement, Harris stated that she will get back out and listen to the American people, help elect Democrats, and share more details about her plans in the months ahead [1]. Harris ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, but dropped out of the race before the primary elections.
Harris's decision not to run for governor may also indicate a desire to focus on her current role as Vice President and support President Biden's agenda. With Harris's decision, the spotlight remains on California's upcoming gubernatorial race, as Democrats seek to maintain control of the state's leadership.
References: [1] Harris, K. (2025, August 4). Statement by Vice President Kamala Harris on the 2026 California Governor's Race. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/vice-president/statements/statement-vice-president-kamala-harris-2026-california-governors-race/ [2] Loven, K. (2025, August 4). Kamala Harris won't run for California governor in 2026. Associated Press. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-california-governor-race-1b3d391b861e676d9280c28388f4251e [3] Barabak, D. (2025, August 5). Kamala Harris's decision not to run for California governor leaves a wide-open race. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2025-08-05/kamala-harris-decision-not-to-run-for-california-governor-leaves-a-wide-open-race
- Kamala Harris's decision not to run for governor of California has paved the way for other candidates to take the spotlight in the media, including those with policy proposals relating to health, war-and-conflicts, and crime-and-justice.
- As Harris focuses on supporting President Biden's agenda, she may also be keeping an eye on general news related to migration, politics, and car-accidents, which have been prevalent issues in the US.
- In the absence of Harris in the California gubernatorial race, the importance of policy-and-legislation, fires, and accidents, particularly those involving crime-and-justice, has become even more crucial for the candidates to address.
- The California governor's race, with Harris out of the running, brings a wave of changes to the political landscape, potentially opening doors for fresh perspectives and approaches to tackle challenges such as war-and-conflicts and migration.
- With her step back from the California gubernatorial race, Harris emphasizes her commitment to engaging with the American people, eager to contribute to policy-and-legislation and help shape the course of the nation in areas such as health, media, and politics.
