When former Vice President Kamala Harris declared Wednesday that she wouldn’t run for governor, she cleared the way for what many Californians wanted — a wide open race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Polls thus far have shown former Rep. Katie Porter as the Democrat with the next-highest level of support after Harris. The former Orange County congresswoman said in a fundraising email that Harris’ decision “means we’re the clear frontrunner in the race.”

Kamala Harris’ decision not to enter the governor’s race is an immense victory for her would-be Democratic opponents, unlocking troves of donors who had been waiting for her announcement and voters who almost universally know the former vice president.