Kamala Harris rules out California governor bid, clearing the path for top Democratic contenders

TOI World Desk | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jul 31, 2025, 21:16 IST

( Image credit : AP )

Highlight of the story: Kamala Harris will not contest for California's Governor post in 2026. This decision opens doors for other Democrats. She may consider a presidential bid in 2028. Harris might work with nonprofits and launch a PAC. Several Democrats are expected to run for Governor. Eleni Kounalakis, Xavier Becerra, Katie Porter, Toni Atkins, and Antonio Villaraigosa are in the fray.

Kamala Harris has confirmed she will not enter California’s 2026 gubernatorial race, ending months of speculation and opening the field for several prominent Democrats to vie for the state’s top job.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the former vice president said the decision came after “deep reflection,” noting her enduring love for California and its people. “This is my home,” Harris said. “While I’m stepping back from electoral politics for now, I remain committed to helping Democrats across the country succeed.”

Harris’s exit from the race was not entirely unexpected but signals broader ambitions. Sources close to her told NBC News that she is leaving the door open for a potential 2028 presidential bid. Though running for governor wouldn’t have precluded a White House run, advisers noted it would have complicated her national positioning.

Private deliberations and long-term planning

According to multiple people familiar with the matter, Harris held several private discussions over recent months, including a key meeting with advisers in Los Angeles to evaluate her options: run for governor, prepare for 2028, or step away from public office entirely.

In the end, Harris reportedly made the decision independently. In the short term, she is considering working with nonprofit organizations and possibly launching a political action committee (PAC) focused on voter engagement and Democratic causes. One source added that Harris intends to remain a prominent voice on national issues, including defending democracy and challenging former President Donald Trump’s political resurgence.

Democratic primary field now wide open

With Governor Gavin Newsom term-limited and officially not seeking re-election, Harris’s decision reshapes the Democratic primary landscape. Several high-profile figures have already declared their intentions to run, including:

Eleni Kounalakis, California’s lieutenant governorXavier Becerra, former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary and state attorney generalKatie Porter, ex-congresswoman known for her progressive stanceToni Atkins, former president of the California state senateAntonio Villaraigosa, former Los Angeles mayorAll are vying for the Democratic nomination in a state widely viewed as a Democratic stronghold. In the 2024 presidential race, Harris carried California by a 20-point margin, underlining its firmly blue lean.

Strategic choice or presidential prelude?

Political analysts suggest Harris’s move may be calculated. "By staying out of the governor’s race, she preserves flexibility for a national campaign in 2028," said one Democratic strategist. “It’s a smart play if she wants to maintain a national presence.”

While Harris has ruled out running for any office in the immediate term, her continued involvement in Democratic politics suggests she’s not exiting the stage — just stepping to the wings, at least for now.