Over the last half-century or so, California has had six elections for governor when the office was being vacated. When, for example, Republican Ronald Reagan’s two terms as governor were ending in 1974, the Democratic secretary of state, Jerry Brown, narrowly defeated the Republican state controller, Houston Flournoy. In scarcely a year, California voters will choose a new governor. Harris’ decision, whatever her motives, did not settle the question about who will be running for governor next year. This week Toni Atkins, former president pro tem of the state Senate, also ended her campaign, saying she could see no pathway to victory.