After months of uncertainty, the race to become California's next governor started Thursday. Former Vice President Kamala Harris' decision Wednesday to bypass the 2026 contest pushed the campaign into a new phase,

Harris announced on Wednesday she is not running for governor in the 2026 election to replace California Governor Gavin Newsom, who cannot run again due to term limits. Harris enjoyed an early polling lead in the race, and some Democrats speculated that if she chose to run, others would have exited the race, deciding not to compete against her.

Until she decided not to run, former Vice President Kamala Harris had loomed over the race as a likely favorite. Now, a host of hopefuls are jockeying for advantage.