Kamala Harris Announces She Will Not Run for California Governor

(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Former Vice President Kamala Harris confirmed that she will run to become governor of California in 2026.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Harris said that while she had “given serious thought to asking the people of California for the privilege to serve as their Governor,” she would not be seeking the job.

“For now, my leadership-and public service-will not be in elected office,” she said.

It was rumored for months that Harris would throw her hat into the ring, even as some prominent political voices in her state warned against the move. Current California governor Gavin Newsom is term limited and cannot run in 2026.

The decision by Harris not to run for governor is already sparking speculation that the former vice president might launch a potential second presidential bid in 2028. While early polls show her as a frontrunner, prediction markets are far less bullish on her prospects — with Polymarket currently ranking her fifth among Democrats to win the nomination.

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