With Kamala Harris out of the California governor's race, other candidates are jockeying to be seen as the new front runner. Some analysts said that's "ludicrous," and that no one stands out yet.

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.

The race to become California’s next governor has kicked into a new gear. Following former Vice President Kamala Harris’ decision Wednesday to bypass the 2026 contest, the campaign entered a fresh phase lacking its biggest potential star and the presumptive early favorite.