Kamala Harris ruled out a run for California governor during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Thursday night, citing a grim view of the political landscape and saying she believes the system is “broken.”
The former Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential nominee made her first post-election interview on the show, where she reflected on her political future and issued a stark warning about the fragility of American institutions—particularly in the face of President Donald Trump’s second term.
“I’m always going to be part of the fight,” Harris said. “But right now, I don’t want to go back into a system that I think is broken.”
“Why Sit This One Out?”
Colbert opened the conversation by noting Harris’s commanding lead in early polls for the governor’s race and asked if she was holding out for a future presidential run. Harris didn’t rule that out, but emphasized that her decision was rooted in the present.
“No, it’s not about 2028,” Harris responded. “I love California, and I thought seriously about running. But I’ve spent my whole career in public service—from being a prosecutor to Vice President. And I’ve always believed that change also needs to come from within the system. That’s why I went into it.”
But, she said, her outlook has shifted.
“I’ve made the decision, for now, not to go back into the system. I think it’s broken.”
Institutions Under Strain
Harris stressed that her decision wasn’t a dismissal of public service or those who dedicate themselves to it. “There are so many good people—teachers, nurses, scientists, police officers—who work hard every day to do the right thing.”
Still, she said, the broader system is failing them.
“I’ve always believed that even though democracy is fragile, our institutions were strong enough to defend our most fundamental principles. I’m not sure that’s true right now.”
Colbert responded that her comments were “harrowing” to hear from someone with her experience.
Harris agreed but offered a note of resilience: “It doesn’t mean we give up. That’s not what I’m saying at all. I’m just choosing a different way to stay engaged right now. I want to travel, listen to people, and have conversations that aren’t transactional.”
Despite stepping back from electoral politics, Harris made clear she isn’t disappearing.
“I’ll always be part of the fight.”
