Former Vice President Kamala Harris announced Wednesday she will not seek the governorship of her home state of California, setting up a possible 2028 run for the presidency.
“I love this state, its people and its promise,” Harris, 60, said in a statement. “It is my home. But after deep reflection, I’ve decided that I will not run for governor in this election.”
Harris — a former senator, Golden State attorney general and San Francisco district attorney — added: “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.”
Prior to the announcement, Harris was widely believed to be contemplating three options for her political future: a run for California governor in 2026, seeking the presidency again in three years, or remaining on the sidelines following her blowout 2024 loss at the hands of Donald Trump.
Rumors that Harris was weighing a run for the governorship notably failed to clear a crowded Democratic primary field that includes former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, current Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, ex-Rep. Katie Porter, and erstwhile Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa — even though some polls showed the ex-veep leading her nearest rival by double-digits.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, another potential 2028 contender who is term-limited and will leave office in early 2027, issued a statement on X saying Harris “has courageously served our state and country for her entire career. Whether it be as a prosecutor, Attorney General, Senator, or Vice President she has always kept a simple pledge at the heart of every decision she’s made: For the People. Grateful for her service.”
The then-VP was elevated to the Democratic presidential nomination with 107 days to go before Election Day last year following the withdrawal of then-President Joe Biden.
After becoming the first Democrat in 20 years to lose the presidential popular vote, Harris was emphatic that she would not go “quietly into the night” — but has rarely made public appearances since her defeat.
The former veep reportedly is expected to pen a book chronicling her turbulent campaign and fessing up to some of the Democratic Party’s shortcomings, some of which she glancingly referenced Wednesday.
“We must recognize that our politics, our government, and our institutions have too often failed the American people, culminating in this moment of crisis. As we look ahead, we must be willing to pursue change through new methods and fresh thinking — committed to our same values and principles, but not bound by the same playbook,” she said.
“In the United States of America, power must lie with the people. And We, the People, must use our power to fight for freedom, opportunity, fairness, and the dignity of all. I will remain in that fight.”
An Emerson College poll taken last month showed Harris coming in second in a hypothetical nationwide 2028 Democratic primary, receiving 13% support and trailing only former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (16%) — though nearly a quarter of primary voters (23%) said they were undecided about who they would back.
