Washington — Former Vice President Kamala Harris will determine her candidacy for California governor in 2026 by the close of summer, according to a source familiar with her deliberations.
Current California Governor Gavin Newsom is prevented by term limits from seeking re-election, and the election for his successor is scheduled for next year. The timing of Harris’ self-imposed decision deadline was first reported by Politico. Candidates have until early March 2026 to submit their nomination papers for the June 2, 2026, primary.
One source close to Harris indicated to CBS News that she is “seriously contemplating” a run for governor. If she pursues this gubernatorial path, it would likely mean she would forgo a presidential run in 2028, which is also on her mind.
The competition to succeed Newsom, who has been in office since 2019, is anticipated to be robust; however, Harris’ entry could deter other Democrats from entering the race.
At the age of 60, Harris has largely remained out of the public eye since her November defeat by President Trump. After the election, she and former Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff returned to California, where she took time to contemplate her next steps. Her main residence is located in Los Angeles. Multiple sources indicated in January that she was expected to focus on writing books reflecting on her political career and her love for food and cooking, yet discussions among her supporters regarding a potential gubernatorial run were already in progress.
In California’s primaries, all candidates are listed on a single ballot, with the top two candidates, regardless of party affiliation, advancing to the general election.
