Kamala Harris’ decision not to enter the governor’s race is an immense victory for her would-be Democratic opponents, unlocking troves of donors who had been waiting for her announcement and voters who almost universally know the former vice president.

California Democrats say the governor’s race next year is wide open after former Vice President Kamala Harris announced she will not run. For months, the outstanding question of whether Harris would jump in remained unknown for candidates,

Former Vice President Kamala Harris announced Wednesday that she would not run for governor of California in 2026, ending questions about her interest in the role but raising new ones about the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee’s plans for the future.