By George Lehman
Boston University News Service
Former Vice President Kamala Harris announced in a statement Wednesday she will not be running for California governor, leaving the door open to the possibility of another run for president in 2028.
“In recent months, I have given serious thought to asking the people of California for the privilege to serve as their Governor,” Harris said in a statement. “But after deep reflection, I’ve decided that I will not run for Governor in this election.”
Harris said her leadership and public service will take place outside of elected office, but she will share her own plans for the months ahead soon.
“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.”
Current California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is serving his final term after being elected in 2018, has not announced a presidential bid for 2028. However, the governor traveled earlier this month to talk to Democrats in South Carolina, which was the first state to vote in the Democratic primary in the 2024 election.
Harris ran on the Democratic ticket for president in 2024 after winning the majority of delegate votes in a virtual roll call held by the Democratic National Committee after former President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race in July of last year.
“We must recognize that our politics, our government, and our institutions have too often failed the American people, culminating in this moment of crisis” Harris said. “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.”
This is a developing story.
