Former Vice President Kamala Harris says she will not run for California governor next year, leaving open the possibility that she could mount a third run for the White House in 2028.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris announced Wednesday that she will not run for governor of California in the 2026 elections.

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.