California's attorney general made it clear Tuesday that she doesn't want to be considered to fill the U.S. Supreme Court vacancy created by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.
"I'm not putting my name in for consideration. I do not wish to be considered. I am running for the United States Senate," Kamala Harris told reporters during a campaign stop at a San Jose union hall.
Harris said she is focusing on her bid to succeed U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, a fellow Democrat who is retiring after this year.
She criticized Republican politicians who have said the Senate should not act on Obama's nominee.
Harris, 51, is a career prosecutor serving her second term as the most populous state's top law enforcement official.
She was mentioned as a possible Supreme Court justice after Scalia died unexpectedly on Saturday at age 79.
Harris is a rising Democratic star who has occasionally been compared to President Barack Obama.
She campaigned for Obama in both his presidential bids, and he returned the favor by holding a fundraiser for Harris during her successful 2010 campaign to become California's first female and first minority attorney general.
He once had to apologize after calling Harris the country's best-looking attorney general. He also praised Harris as "brilliant" and "tough."
California's June 7 primary will send the top two vote-getters, regardless of party, to the general election in November.
