We now know who will be the Democrat nominee for Governor in 2026.
“Attorney General Rob Bonta won’t run for California governor in 2026, he told Playbook, ending months of speculation about him eyeing the crowded contest.
Instead, he’ll seek reelection as AG and back former Vice President Kamala Harris if she jumps into the fray to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom. Aides say Harris is weighing her options after returning home to Los Angeles.
“Kamala Harris would be a great governor,” Bonta told Playbook, noting he hasn’t spoken directly with Harris about it. “I would support her if she ran. I’ve always supported her in everything she’s done. She would be field-clearing.”
Watch as others quickly drop out. James Carville called her a “a 7th string quarterback”—is that what California needs to get out of the DOOM LOOP?
Exclusive: Rob Bonta is keeping his day job
By DUSTIN GARDINER and BLAKE JONES , Politico, 02/05/2025 https://www.politico.com/newsletters/californiaplaybook
THE BUZZ: FORK IN THE ROAD — Attorney General Rob Bonta won’t run for California governor in 2026, he told Playbook, ending months of speculation about him eyeing the crowded contest.
Instead, he’ll seek reelection as AG and back former Vice President Kamala Harris if she jumps into the fray to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom. Aides say Harris is weighing her options after returning home to Los Angeles.
“Kamala Harris would be a great governor,” Bonta told Playbook, noting he hasn’t spoken directly with Harris about it. “I would support her if she ran. I’ve always supported her in everything she’s done. She would be field-clearing.”
Bonta said he was seriously considering a run last year but changed his mind after Republican President Donald Trump defeated Harris. But even before then, other top contenders like former Rep. Katie Porter were already making moves to run, complicating Bonta’s path.
The attorney general said he feels a strong calling to lead California’s legal defense as the state faces off with Trump over a flurry of executive orders on immigration, gender, climate change and more.
Trump’s return to power instantly elevated Bonta’s position as AG for the nation’s most populous state. In the weeks since the inauguration, he has embraced his role as the face of California’s legal resistance to the president’s policies — as Newsom and other top Democrats take a more measured approach in an effort to improve relations with the bombastic commander-in-chief.
“It’s important to always assess the moment that you’re in,” Bonta said. “The political world changes in seconds, overnight at times.”
Bonta’s decision not to run for the state’s top office — and, potentially, his hypothetical endorsement of Harris — reshapes the governor’s race.
Among the Democrats already in the crowded contest: Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (who was spotted in Sacramento yesterday, more on that below), former state Senate leader Toni Atkins, former state Controller Betty Yee and state schools Superintendent Tony Thurmond. But the field could change in an instant if Harris, Porter or former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra enter the fray.
The chatter is growing around Porter, in particular. In recent weeks, her camp has touted internal polling that found her in a commanding position. She’s also traveled to Sacramento for meetings with lawmakers and other power brokers. And her PAC stoked speculation with a playful email to donors. The subject line: “2026 starts now.”
Bonta, a progressive with strong ties to labor unions, shares many close allies and advisers with Porter. So his decision to take a pass could help her — or another liberal — gain traction with labor and the party’s progressive base.
His announcement also comes as he’s faced scrutiny over his campaign contributions. The AG last year returned — or donated — about $160,000 in contributions after Playbook raised questions about the sources of the funds and his work as AG. And the San Francisco Chronicle reported last week that Bonta accepted $16,200 in contributions from a Southern California casino while it was under investigation by his office.
Dan Newman, a senior adviser to Bonta’s reelection campaign, said the AG’s decision about 2026 was unrelated to those reports. Newman told Playbook that the “whole conversation” has been about Bonta’s responsibilities as AG and how it’s “become exponentially bigger and more important” amid Trump 2.0.
