“I am honored and humbled by the extraordinary moment we find ourselves in. If you would have told me a year or two ago that I would be tearing myself apart trying to decide where to best serve our community – in the California State Senate or in the United States Congress – I would not have believed you. And yet, here we are.

Over the past few months, my days have been filled with profound gratitude and love for our region and for my family, reflecting on how remarkable it is to be a public servant so closely aligned to my community that my whole life would be thrown into a tailspin because someone circled our homes in creating a new Congressional map.

It is the honor of a lifetime to have the confidence of your neighbors and to be given the opportunity to serve in any elected position.

I am deeply touched and awestruck by the cascade of friends, family, elected officials, community leaders, labor unions, and even people I have never met offering their overwhelming support and encouragement to run for Congress. To those of you who cornered me in the grocery store or at school drop off, who called dozens of times or sent midnight texts – making your best pitch to convince me to run – please know that you have my profound gratitude. I am truly humbled by the gift of your trust.

As I have measured these two opportunities, contemplated each path, talked with my family and prayed for guidance, my north star has been: how and where can I do the most good for the most people, while maintaining my core values and keeping my commitments, both personal and professional.

In the end the decision is clear. I can accomplish more right now for our region by continuing to serve in the California State Senate than in an increasingly unproductive, dysfunctional, and polarized Congress.

The State Senate is composed of extremely committed and talented public servants unafraid to think big and take bold action. It is a privilege to serve with each of them.

As the Senator representing the Sacramento region, and now as Senate Majority Leader, I have a unique opportunity to fight for our communities, to address the crisis of affordability and tackle California’s biggest challenges.

For me, public service has never been about climbing the political ladder or jumping ship when the next opportunity knocks on my door. Leadership is about making tough decisions, fighting for what’s right, and delivering positive results. In just three years in the Senate, I have taken on big issues, delivered significant victories, and built a strong foundation to make more progress. I’m just getting started.

I have heard from thousands of voters in our region who are increasingly worried about the future, shocked and scared by what is happening in the federal government, and fearful for our democracy. They want – and deserve – better from Washington. That starts with electing an energetic, hard-working member of Congress. Someone who will dig in and deliver results on a wide range of important issues, who will stand up to protect our freedoms, and who will be dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of our communities.

To that end, I will not be endorsing a candidate at this time. Like all those voters who shared their concerns and desires with me, I look forward to a robust debate among those who seek the privilege of representing our region in Congress. I vow to collaborate and work with our next Congressmember for the betterment of our region and to hold them accountable if they fall short of delivering the leadership our communities deserve.

I am humbly grateful for your trust, and deeply committed to continuing to serve you in the California State Senate.”