Former Vice President Kamala Harris‘s decision this week not to enter California’s gubernatorial contest has left the door open to a third White House run, a gamble that carries both benefits and possible pitfalls.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris is not entering California's 2026 race for governor, she announced Wednesday.

The crowded race to succeed California Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2027 looked frozen in place for months as former Vice President Kamala Harris considered whether to jump in. But campaign finance reports filed this week reveal that serious fundraising was playing out behind the scenes even before Harris announced on Wednesday that she’ll steer clear of the race.