Kamala Harris will not join California's governor's race

Former Vice President Kamala Harris will not be running for Governor of California.

For months speculation has been rampant about the future of Harris, the Democrats nominee for President in 2020. Would she throw her hat into an already crowded race to become governor of California?

In a social media post this morning, the  alifornia-born Indian American, answered the question.

“I love this state, its people and its promise. It is my home. But after deep reflection, I’ve decided that I will not run for Governor in this election,” she posted Wednesday.

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

If she had chosen to throw her hat in the ring to lead the state, most political watchers said she would have won handily as the state's former Attorney General and US Senator.

In 2020, Harris was unsucessful in her race for President against eventual winner Donald Trump. Her campaign was hampered by the late late withdrawal of President Joe Biden therefore not giving her enough time to gain national support.

Her decision leaves open the possibility of another run for the Presidency in 2028. While she would become the best known of the possible Democratic candidates, she must overcome the negative memory associated with her defeat in 2024. There is also a half-dozen other strong potential candidates already jockeying for national recognition.

Below, is Kamala Harris' statement:

If Harris had entered the governor's race, she would have become the frontrunner but her decision leaves the contest wide open, especially for the Democrats. Thus far, the Democrats have a deep bench of well-known candidates, including: Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis; Secretary of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond; Xavier Becerra, who led the Department of Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden; former Rep. Katie Porter; Toni Atkins, who served as both California Senate president pro tempore and California House speaker; former State Comptroller Betty Yee; and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

        RELATED: Attorney General Rob Bonta steps away from governor's race

Among Republicans, Chad Bianco, Riverside County Sheriff and Steve Hilton, a former Fox News commentator and author have thrown their hats into the gubernatorial ring. 

California has an open primary. The top two finishers, regardless of party affiliation, will runoff against each other. In deep blue California, it is possible for two Democrats to wind up in an expensive campaign to lead the state.

Several of the Democrats said they would withdraw from the contest if Harris decides to run. However, with Harris no longer possibility, the race for governor can begin in earnest. Candidates can now start knocking on donors' doors who had also hedging their bets as they waited to hear from Harris. 

“It finally begins the race; it’s almost like the starting gun truly goes off now,” Democratic strategist Kevin Liao tells KQED. “Now I expect these donors are getting plenty of calls from the other candidates starting today, and it really allows these candidates to flesh out their vision for the state without this looming presence of Harris.”

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