California Governor Race Widens After Harris Exit

With former Vice President Kamala Harris deciding not to run for California governor in 2026, the race has opened up into a wide field with no clear frontrunner. Former U.S. Congresswoman Katie Porter has gained momentum with strong fundraising efforts and consistent polling support, positioning her as a leading Democratic candidate. Xavier Becerra, the current U.S. Health Secretary and former California Attorney General, is also a prominent contender emphasizing healthcare, housing affordability, and worker protections. Billionaire businessman Rick Caruso is considering a run, leveraging his self-funding capacity and efforts to appeal to Democratic voters despite his previous Republican ties. Other Democrats like Antonio Villaraigosa, Eleni Kounalakis, Toni Atkins, and Betty Yee remain in the race but have yet to gain significant traction. Overall, the absence of Harris has created a competitive and unpredictable contest in a state where Democrats hold a strong advantage over Republicans.