With Harris out, a crowded field of Democrats vies for governor of California

Grace Panetta

Political reporter

Published

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A crowded field of Democrats is running in the open race for governor of California, which has emerged as a high-profile foil to the Trump administration.

Vice President Kamala Harris’ decision not to run has cleared the field for the many prominent Democrats who have already jumped into the race to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender.

They include Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis; Secretary of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond; Xavier Becerra, who led the Department of Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden; former Rep. Katie Porter; Toni Atkins, who served as both California Senate president pro tempore and California House s