Former Vice President and Bay Area native Kamala Harris announced Wednesday she will not run for governor in next year’s election.
Harris, who became the Democratic nominee for president in 2024 after President Joe Biden announced he would not seek re-election, lost to Republican Donald Trump in November’s election.
Since then, she was rumored to run for governor of California to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom, who will be termed out of office in 2026 and is himself rumored as a presidential candidate in the 2028 race.
In a statement Wednesday, Harris said she has spent the past six months since leaving office “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.”
“For now, my leadership — and public service — will not be in elected office.” Former Vice President Kamala Harris
She described herself as a “devout public servant” and cited her work as San Francisco’s district attorney, the state’s attorney general and as U.S. senator as examples of how she has sought to “improve the system from within.”
However, “after deep reflection,” Harris said she would not run for governor in 2026.
“For now, my leadership — and public service — will not be in elected office. I look forward to getting back out and listening to the American people, helping elect Democrats across the nation who will fight fearlessly, and sharing more details in the months ahead about my own plans,” she said.
