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Kamala Harris Opts Out of California Governor’s Race

by · Variety

Kamala Harris announced Wednesday that she will not run for California governor, ending months of speculation that the former vice president would seek to succeed Gavin Newsom.

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

Harris would have been a leading contender, and perhaps the strong favorite. Recent polls showed her with a wide lead over the announced candidates in the race, who include Xavier Becerra, Katie Porter and Antonio Villaraigosa.

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In her statement, Harris kept open the possibility of another run for office later on, and there has been speculation about another bid for the presidency in 2028. In her statement, she indicated a desire to step back from politics, saying, “Our politics, our government and our institutions have too often failed the American people, leading to 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 wrote. “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.”

The Democratic field has largely been frozen in anticipation of Harris’ entry into the race. A July 2 poll by the UC Irvine School of Ecology found Harris leading with 24% of the vote. Her nearest challenger in the poll was Rick Caruso, who has not announced his candidacy, at 9%. Porter held 6%, while Villaraigosa took 4% and Becerra had 2%. (Another 40% said they were not sure yet.)

Villaraigosa praised Harris’ “decades of leadership and public service” in a statement.

“Her decision not to enter the race for governor reflects her continued commitment to serving at the highest levels of government, and I know she will continue to be a powerful voice for justice, equality, and opportunity,” he said.

Harris had previously given herself a deadline to decide by the end of summer.

Harris rose from San Francisco district attorney to state attorney general to the U.S. Senate before launching a presidential bid in 2019. She was a strong favorite of Hollywood donors, but did not gain traction with the primary electorate and dropped out before the first votes were cast. President Biden chose her to serve as vice president, and endorsed her candidacy when he was forced to drop his reelection bid due to concerns about his age last year.

Harris lost to President Trump by a 1.5% margin in the popular vote, losing all seven swing states.