Kamala Harris to decide whether to run for California governor by end of summer

March 7, 2025

CBS News,

Former Vice President Kamala Harris (Erin Schaff/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

Washington (CBS News) — Former Vice President Kamala Harris will decide whether she will run for governor of California in 2026 by the end of summer, a person familiar with her decision-making process said.

Term limits prevent current California Gov. Gavin Newsom from running again, and the election to replace him will take place next year. Politico first reported the timing on Harris’ self-imposed deadline to decide whether to run. Candidates have until early March 2026 to file paperwork ahead of the June 2, 2026, primary.

Another source familiar with Harris’ thinking told CBS News that she is “seriously considering” a run for governor. A gubernatorial bid would likely mean she would not run for president in 2028, which she is also considering.

The field to replace Newsom, who has been governor since 2019, is expected to be sizable, but Harris’ entry into the race could dissuade other Democrats from launching bids of their own.

A former Harris adviser said “she’d be great,” and has already proven she could lead at the national level and as California attorney general.

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