Former Vice President Kamala Harris confirmed Wednesday she won't enter the 2026 California governor's race, ending months of mounting speculation about a return to politics after a crushing defeat in the 2024 presidential race to Donald Trump.
In a statement posted to her X account, Harris said she had "reflected deeply" and decided not to seek elected office "for now."
"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," Harris wrote in a statement.
Harris, who served as California's Attorney General and later as U.S. senator before becoming Vice President under President Joe Biden in 2021, was widely considered a leading contender to succeed term-limited Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom.
'NO ONE' EXCITED ABOUT KAMALA HARRIS' POTENTIAL GUBERNATORIAL RUN, SAY CALIFORNIA DONORS
Though she called California "my home" and expressed pride in serving the state, Harris said her efforts would be focused elsewhere.
The announcement reconfigures the 2026 Democratic primary field, potentially clearing the way for candidates like Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to mount less encumbered campaigns.
California Governor Gavin Newsom responded via X, writing he is "grateful for her service."
"Kamala 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 and friendship - and looking forward to continuing the fight in whatever the future might hold for her," Newsom said.
CALIFORNIA DEM DOUBTS SOMEONE FROM THEIR STATE COULD WIN PRESIDENCY SINCE THEY'RE THOUGHT OF AS 'CRAZY PEOPLE'
"Kamala Harris' political career is over thanks to President Trump. Look no further than her decision to not run for governor. She would have been a disaster for California: tanking the state's economy even further, protecting criminal illegal immigrants over law-abiding citizens, and further bringing the Democrat Party brand down with her, just like she did as Vice President," said RGA Rapid Response Director Kollin Crompton. "Americans across the country can sigh in relief that they won't have to see or hear from Kamala Harris any longer."
Republican gubernatorial candidate Sheriff Chad Bianco told Fox News Digital he wasn't surprised to see Kamala Harris decline to enter the California governor's race and thinks it made his path to victory easier. "This is going to catapult me to a win next November," Bianco said. "Now we get front-row seats to watch the Democrat Party implode in California."
Bianco said California has big problems to address. "We have a failed criminal justice system that favors criminals over victims," he said. "It's too expensive to live here, and now it's not even safe." As for the remaining Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls? "They're all responsible for the mess we're in. This is the best of the worst the Democrat Party has to offer."
Hunter Biden, son of former President Joe Biden, didn't mince words either. "That's interesting," Biden told Fox News of Harris' choice to step down from the race.
In her X post, Harris seemed to signal she isn't retreating from politics entirely. "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 wrote. "My leadership-and public service-will not be in elected office."
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While declining to enter the race, Harris vowed to continue the fight for "freedom, opportunity, fairness, and the dignity of all."
The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
