Kamala Harris Rules Out California Governor Run
Kamala Harris announced Wednesday that she will not run for governor of California, ending months of speculation about her next political move after being ousted from the vice presidency in the 2024 election.
In a carefully worded statement posted to social media, Harris said she had given “serious thought” to launching a gubernatorial campaign but ultimately decided against entering the race. “I love this state, its people, and its promise. It is my home,” she wrote. “But after deep reflection, I’ve decided that I will not run for Governor in this election.”
Harris framed her decision as a desire to serve “as a public servant” outside of elected office — for now. “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,” she said.
My statement on the California governor’s race and the fight ahead. pic.twitter.com/HYzK1BIlhD
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) July 30, 2025
Her announcement did not include an endorsement in the crowded California gubernatorial field and made no mention of President Donald Trump, who defeated her and Joe Biden in the 2024 election. However, she indicated that she will remain active in Democratic politics, saying she plans to help elect “Democrats across the nation who will fight fearlessly.”
The decision not to run leaves California Democrats scrambling. Many had expected Harris to quickly return to statewide office after her historic loss, especially as Governor Gavin Newsom is term-limited and the 2026 field was beginning to take shape with Harris at the center. Her absence opens the door wider for other potential contenders, including Rep. Adam Schiff, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, and former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.
But the more significant implication may be national. Harris’ refusal to take the political offramp to Sacramento will likely fuel further speculation about a second presidential run in 2028. Her statement left the door wide open: “For now, my leadership — and public service — will not be in elected office,” she said, teasing that she would “share more details in the months ahead about my own plans.”
After her failed 2020 primary campaign and four tumultuous years as vice president, Harris entered the 2024 election with historically low approval ratings. Her tenure was plagued by persistent criticism on issues ranging from immigration enforcement to foreign policy, and her poor showing in the Democratic primaries before the Biden-Harris ticket’s collapse in November left her wounded within the party. Yet she remains a fixture of Democratic fundraising events and enjoys some loyalty among progressives, especially in California.
Some Democrats see Harris as a potential standard-bearer for the party’s left wing in 2028, especially if the post-Biden era turns into a free-for-all primary. Others suggest her best path forward might be outside of elected politics altogether, perhaps in media or advocacy. But her own statement suggests she’s not done seeking power.
“For now” may be doing a lot of work in her announcement — and the rest of the country should take note. Kamala Harris may be stepping back from one political stage, but she’s clearly not ready to exit the spotlight.