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MSNBC panelist says Kamala Harris dropped California governor bid as Dem base wants 'new blood'

By Taniya Singh
Published on : 05:44 PST, Aug 1, 2025
MSNBC panelist says Kamala Harris dropped California governor bid as Dem base wants 'new blood'
MSNBC panelist Mara Gay weighed in on Kamala Harris' announcement that she will not run for California governor in 2026 (Screengrab/MSNBC and Getty Images)

 

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Former Vice President Kamala Harris has officially ruled out a run for California governor or any other political office soon, following intense speculation about her next move after the 2024 presidential election loss.

Her decision, announced Wednesday, July 30, was widely seen as a response to the Democratic base’s growing demand for new leadership and generational change.

The announcement comes amid mounting criticism from party strategists, donors, and lawmakers who have questioned her political viability after the 2024 defeat and criticized her past campaign spending.

Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks on stage as she concedes the election, at Howard University on November 06, 2024 in Washington, DC. After a contentious campaign focused on key battleground states, the Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump was projected to secure the majority of electoral votes, giving him a second term as U.S. President. Republicans also secured control of the Senate for the first time in four years. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
Kamala Harris speaks on stage as she concedes the election, at Howard University on November 6, 2024, in Washington, DC (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

Kamala Harris' decision signals a Democratic generational shift

MSNBC panelist Mara Gay said on 'Morning Joe' on Thursday that Kamala Harris’ decision appears to reflect a deeper shift within the Democratic Party.

“I think the key word in her statement there is ‘listening,’ and I think that this is a sign that Democratic leaders are actually hearing the base when the base says ‘we want new faces. We want new blood, new talent, younger talent,’” Gay noted.

Mara Gay says Harris' withdrawal shows Democrats are listening to voters' call for fresh, younger leaders (X / @MaraGay)
Mara Gay says Kamala Harris' decision not to run for California governor shows Democrats are listening to voters' call for fresh, younger leadership (X/@MaraGay)

She continued, “Hopefully it’s a signal to the [Democratic National Convention] as well that says ‘you know, let’s have an open, competitive primary.’ And I think that’s really important to individual Democratic voters… they say ‘we want to see who else is out there.’”

Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris arrives to speak on stage as she concedes the election, at Howard University on November 06, 2024 in Washington, DC. After a contentious campaign focused on key battleground states, the Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump was projected to secure the majority of electoral votes, giving him a second term as U.S. President. Republicans also secured control of the Senate for the first time in four years. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Kamala Harris arrives to speak on stage as she concedes the election, at Howard University on November 6, 2024, in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

While Harris has not ruled out future ambitions, her decision marks a notable pivot away from immediate political re-entry.

California House Democrats expressed skepticism about Kamala Harris' potential California gubernatorial run

After her 2024 defeat, Kamala Harris reportedly told aides she intended to keep her options open. But within her home state, several California House Democrats expressed skepticism about her potential gubernatorial campaign.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 25: U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to reporters after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Vice President's ceremonial office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on July 25, 2024 in Washington, DC. Netanyahu’s visit occurs as the Israel-Hamas war reaches nearly ten months. In addition to meeting with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, Netanyahu also met with U.S. President Joe BIden and families of American Hostages held by Hamas. (Photo by Kenny Holston-Pool/Getty Images)
Kamala Harris speaks to reporters after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Vice President's ceremonial office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on July 25, 2024, in Washington, DC (Kenny Holston-Pool/Getty Images)

“There’s no groundswell for her candidacy. In fact, I think it would only fire up Republicans and hurt our ability to win the four to five seats that we need to win to win the House and hold on to three seats that we just flipped in 2024,” one Democratic member told CNN. “She comes in with baggage.”

Notably, Harris had previously stated in 2016 that she did not wish to be considered for the high court when then-President Barack Obama had to fill a vacancy, further underscoring her shifting political ambitions over the years.

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