California Governor Newsom says he will not run for 2028 Democratic nomination if Kamala Harris does
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Governor Gavin Newsom told CNN he would not enter the 2028 Democratic presidential race should former Vice President Kamala Harris decide to run, citing concerns about splitting the California vote.
Governor Gavin Newsom told CNN anchor Jake Tapper that he would not seek the Democratic nomination for president in 2028 if former Vice President Kamala Harris launches a campaign. The conversation took place while the two were fly-fishing in Montana, and Tapper noted that several California politicians, including Rep. Ro Khanna and Harris, could be contenders.
Newsom said, "I wouldn't run if she ran," adding that he would not want to compete for the same voters and would avoid “wasting everyone’s time.” He described a scenario in which both he and Harris, who share a Bay Area political background, entered the race as potentially detrimental to other Democrats.
Tapper suggested that Harris might be the one to step aside for Newsom, noting her previous presidential bids. Newsom acknowledged the idea but said he understood the dynamics of Harris’s support base.
Polls cited by Real Clear Politics show Harris leading the speculative 2028 field with 24.5% support, followed by Newsom at 13.5%, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg at 12.8% and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at 11%.