Former vice president Kamala Harris will not apply for the governor of California in 2026, after months of considering the possibility of being the executive director of his native state.
“In recent months, I have seriously thought about asking the people of California for the privilege that serves as its governor. I love this state, its people and its promise. It is my home. But after a deep reflection, I have decided that I will not apply for governor in this election,” he said in a statement published Wednesday.
The decision could give Harris Great Leeway for a presidential career in 2028, an option that has not yet ruled out. Harris said he would share “more details in the coming months” about his plans.
“I have extraordinary admiration and respect for those who dedicate their lives to the public service: service to their communities and our nation. At the same time, we must recognize that our policy, our government and our institutions have failed too often the US people, culminating in this moment of crisis,” said Harris. “As we look towards the future, we must be willing to follow the change through new methods and a new thought, committed to our same values and principles, but not obliged by the same play book.”
Kamala Harris speaks at the 20th anniversary gala of emerges in San Francisco, California, on April 30, 2025.
Camille Cohen/AFP through Getty Images
Harris announced this decision after months of reflecting how to better contribute to the Democratic Party after his loss of presidential elections, he said.
“I am a devout public servant, and since the first days of my career, I have believed that the best way I could make a difference in people’s lives and fight for a better future was to improve the system from the inside. And it has been a deep honor to do that job and serve the people of California and our nation, as a prosecutor, attorney general, senator of the United States and vice president,” said Harris.
In recent months, Harris has returned to politics, appearing practically at a summit of young voters earlier this month and in a group of defense of abortion rights in June. His Joint Fund Collection Committee of the National Democratic Committee, the Harris Victoria Fund, has begun to raise funds on behalf of the new offer of the Senate of the former Democratic governor of North Carolina Roy Cooper.
Harris said that despite not running for governor, he was finding other ways to “remain in that struggle for” freedom, opportunity, justice and the dignity of all. “
“I hope to go out and listen to the American people, helping to choose Democrats throughout the country who will fight without fear and share more details in the coming months about my own plans,” Harris said.
