SACRAMENTO - Suspense over whether former Vice President Kamala Harris will jump into California’s 2028 gubernatorial race is effectively freezing the field in her home state as Democrats weigh potential successors for term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).

Harris has shrugged off the chatter and has yet to signal her post-White House plans, but she’s nevertheless topping early polls, and her potential to take the frontrunner slot looms over other candidates, The Hill reports.

“The race is on hold until she makes her decision,” California Democratic strategist Steven Maviglio said. “It’s been very difficult for the other candidates to raise money, get endorsements … and it’s had an impact on all the other offices in the state, because they’re sort of dominoes.”

Fresh off her loss in November’s presidential race, Harris faces questions about her next political move.

She has deep ties to the Golden State, having served as San Francisco district attorney and then state attorney general; she is the first woman, first African American and first Asian American in both offices. She went on to represent California in the Senate until she was tapped to join the Biden administration.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco became the first major GOP candidate to launch a bid last month.

Story Date: March 21, 2025