Former Vice President Kamala Harris announced Wednesday that she would not run for governor of California in 2026, ending questions about her interest in the role but raising new ones about the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee’s plans for the future.

The former vice president said she gave serious thought to the role and emphasized that she loved the state and its people.

Bolstered by her name ID, Harris consistently rose to the top of polls when included in lists of candidates running or considering a bid for governor. Before becoming vice president, Harris won statewide elections for the U.S. Senate and California attorney general.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris has announced that she will not be running to replace Gavin Newsom as governor of California.

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.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris made the announcement Wednesday, after months of speculation about her political future.

On "Forbes Newsroom," Matt Taglia, Senior Director of Emerson College Polling, discussed a new Emerson poll on the California gubernatorial race.