Former Vice President Kamala Harris announced on Wednesday that she will not run for governor in her home state of California.
She hinted at continued involvement in national politics, including helping elect other candidates, and said that “for now” she would not seek elected office. By staying out of the race, she is opening the field for a roster of smaller-profile Democratic candidates and raising questions about what she will do in 2028.
“In recent months, 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. But after deep reflection, I’ve decided that I will not run for Governor in this election,” she said in a statement released on Wednesday.
Harris mulled for months over whether to run as she considered her path forward, sources close to her told NOTUS. She kept her next step closely guarded until Wednesday, even as California politicians publicly called on her to make a decision so the race could effectively begin.
“Over the past six months, I have spent time reflecting on this moment in our nation’s history, and the best way for me to continue fighting for the American people and advancing the values and ideals I hold dear,” Harris said in her statement.
Many in her orbit viewed her next steps as a binary choice: either she run for governor and forgo an opportunity at another presidential run, or she skip her home state run with an eye toward the next presidential cycle.
About a month ago, Harris convened a small team of advisers in Los Angeles to weigh all her options, according to a source familiar with the meeting. The options included running for governor, not running to keep 2028 open and ending her career as an elected official altogether.
While aides presented her with information, they sought not to influence her decision. And ultimately, Harris made it on her own, the source added.
The former vice president has held public office for the majority of her adult life. She first became district attorney of San Francisco in 2003.
Some of her former campaign staffers advised her that if she ran for governor, she would not be able to run for president in 2028, according to a Democrat close to Harris.
Wednesday’s announcement, for some, made it clear that she’s leaving the door open to other campaign opportunities.
“She wants to keep her options open for president,” the Democrat said, reacting to the news. Another said she has yet to make up her mind, outside of ruling out a gubernatorial run, on her future.
For the best part of the year, Harris — who in her initial statement did not endorse any candidate — has been an unknown factor in the governor’s race. For months, she led statewide polls, and several candidates said they would’ve dropped the race if Harris decided to run.
Former Democratic Rep. Katie Porter and former Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra have already announced that they’re running. But Harris’ decision opens the door for candidates with bigger profiles in the state to join the race.
Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, California Democratic Party vice chair Betty Yee, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa have also launched campaigns.
If Harris did run for governor, she would have likely had to answer questions that have dogged Democrats since last year, such as those regarding Joe Biden’s age and mental acuity. By staying out of the conversation this year, she’s largely avoided answering what she knew about the former president’s ability to serve in his role and whether his White House team took measures to shield his health from the public.
Plans are still underway for what Harris’ C4 PAC will look like but the source said more announcements will come in the coming months.
In her announcement, Harris said she would listen to Americans and that she plans to share “more details in the months ahead about my own plans.”
—
This NOTUS story was produced in partnership with San José Spotlight and with NewsWell, home of Times of San Diego, Santa Barbara News-Press and Stocktonia.