With Kamala Harris out of the California governor's race, other candidates are jockeying to be seen as the new front runner. Some analysts said that's "ludicrous," and that no one stands out yet.

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.

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.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris appeared on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" shortly after announcing she will not be running for governor of California.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris denied she was sitting out the 2026 California governor's because she has still has her eye on the White House

Former Vice President Kamala Harris closed a big door when she announced Wednesday that she would not run for California governor. But she left open a heap of others. Departing presidents, vice presidents,