Politician Kamala Harris Chooses to Abstain from California Governor Race in 2026, Instead Hinting at New Professional Venture
Kamala Harris Rules Out 2026 California Gubernatorial Run
Vice President Kamala Harris has announced that she will not be running for governor of California in 2026, marking a significant decision in the state's political landscape. Harris, who was born in Oakland, California, and spent much of her life in the state, had been rumored to be considering a gubernatorial campaign following her 2024 presidential election defeat.
Harris' life and career began in California, where she attended law school after moving around in her childhood and attending undergrad in Washington, D.C. She won a seat in the Senate in 2016, becoming the second Black woman and first South Asian American U.S. senator. Harris joined Democratic nominee Joe Biden as his running mate in 2020 and together, they defeated incumbents Donald Trump and Mike Pence to win the White House.
If Harris had joined the gubernatorial race, she would likely have cleared the field, as left-leaning candidates would face pressure to step aside. However, Harris has decided against running for governor of California, where Gov. Gavin Newsom is term-limited in 2026.
In a statement, Harris indicated that her future leadership and public service will not be in elected office for now. Instead, she plans to focus on listening to the American people, helping elect Democrats across the nation, and will share more details about her future plans later.
Harris has been largely out of the public eye since losing the 2024 presidential election, living in Los Angeles and contemplating her next steps. Reportedly, she planned to make her decision about a gubernatorial bid by the end of summer 2025, but has now ruled out a run for the California governorship.
Other strong Democratic candidates for California governor include former California State Controller Betty Yee and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Harris' decision not to run for governor opens up the race for these and other contenders.
In the meantime, Harris has kept some of her most senior White House aides with her when she formed her new Pioneer49 organization. She has also reportedly planned to write a memoir and potentially launch a nonprofit focused on young voters and democracy or a political action committee to support Democrats. Leaving the door open for a possible presidential bid in 2028, Harris stated that Democrats will need to embrace "fresh thinking" and not be "bound by the same playbook" moving forward.
References:
- NPR
- Politico
- The Hill
- Los Angeles Times
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