Former Vice President Kamala Harris announced she is not running for governor in the upcoming California election.
It had long been speculated as to whether Harris, who made an unsuccessful bid for president, would run for governor of the state following Gov. Gavin Newsom’s end of his second term.
Harris announced her decision in a statement on Wednesday, July 30.
“In recent months, I have given serious thought to asking the people of California for the privilege to serve as their Governor,” Harris said. “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.”
Why did Kamala Harris say she wouldn't run for California Governor?
Harris said she’s spent the past six months reflecting “on this moment in our nation’s history” and the best way she could fight for the American people and “advancing the values and ideals I hold dear.”
“I have extraordinary admiration and respect for those who dedicate their lives to public service—service to their communities and to our nation,” Harris wrote.
“At the same time, we must recognize that our politics, our government, and our institutions have too often failed the American people, culminating in this moment of crisis. As we look ahead, we must be willing to pursue change through new methods and fresh thinking —committed to our same values and principles, but not bound by the same playbook.”
Harris said that “for now,” her leadership and public service will not be in elected office.
Has Kamala Harris held office in California before?
Vice President Kamala Harris has been involved in politics for decades, holding various positions in California and on Capitol Hill.
After law school, she became a deputy district attorney in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office from 1990-98 in her birthplace of Oakland. She specialized in prosecuting child sexual assault cases.
In 2004, she was elected district attorney of San Francisco and served through 2010. She was an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, officiating the first same-sex wedding after California's Proposition 8 was overturned.
She served as California's attorney general from 2011-17 after winning her first race in November 2010 by a slim margin over Republican Steve Cooley by 0.5% of a percentage point. On the consumer front, she won a $20 billion settlement for Californians whose homes had been foreclosed on and a $1.1 billion settlement for students and veterans who were taken advantage of by a for-profit education company, according to her White House biography.
She was elected in 2016 to serve in the U.S. Senate, defeating Democrat Loretta Sanchez in the general election in the state's top-two primary format. She served on the Senate's judiciary and intelligence committees.
Paris Barraza is a trending reporter covering California news at The Desert Sun. Reach her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Kamala Harris won't run for California governor in upcoming election
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