Democrats remain favored to hold the seat now occupied by term-limited Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, in a state where Republicans have not won a statewide election in nearly two decades.

It’s still early to get too clear a picture of the 2028 presidential race. But Kamala Harris’s decision not to run for California governor in 2026 leaves the door open for another presidential run

With Kamala Harris opting out of the 2026 race for governor of California, attention now turns to the remaining announced Democratic candidates in the field