Former Vice President Kamala Harris said Wednesday she is not running for governor of California in 2026, keeping the door open for a 2028 presidential run.

Harris announced on Wednesday she is not running for governor in the 2026 election to replace California Governor Gavin Newsom, who cannot run again due to term limits. Harris enjoyed an early polling lead in the race, and some Democrats speculated that if she chose to run, others would have exited the race, deciding not to compete against her.

Former Vice President and Bay Area native Kamala Harris announced Wednesday she will not run for governor in next year's election. Harris, who became the Democratic nominee for president in 2024 after President Joe Biden announced he would not seek re-election,