Kamala Harris made history last year by launching a presidential campaign with just 107 days to prepare — the shortest timeline ever for a major-party contender. Despite her rapid push, she fell short in November, conceding to President Donald Trump. Many expected her next move would be a run for California governor, where early polls showed her leading the field by double digits.
But in a candid interview with Stephen Colbert, the former vice president revealed why she’s not jumping back into the fray.
“Recently, I made the decision that for now I don’t want to go back in the system. I think it’s broken,” Harris said, drawing gasps from The Late Show audience.
A self-described “devout public servant,” Harris reflected on her decades-long career — from district attorney to attorney general to U.S. senator. “I thought a lot about running for governor. I love my state, I love California. But to be very candid with you, when I was young in my career, I had to defend my decision to become a prosecutor with my family. One of the points I made was, ‘Why is it, when we want to improve a system, we’re always outside on bended knee, or trying to break down the door? Shouldn’t we also be inside the system?’”
Although Harris stressed she will “always be part of the fight,” the 60-year-old said she now wants to travel the country and listen to people without the pressure of asking for their vote.
“There are so many good people who are public servants — teachers, firefighters, police officers, nurses, scientists,” she said. “It’s not about them, but I believe that as fragile as our democracy is, our systems should be strong enough to protect our most fundamental principles. Right now, I don’t think they are. And I just don’t want to go back in the system.”
When Colbert noted that it’s “harrowing” for a former vice president and presidential candidate to call the system broken, Harris agreed — but reminded viewers where the real power lies.
“You can never let anybody take your power from you,” she said. “And that’s what I’d like to remind folks of.”
