California Governor Newsom Declines to Challenge Harris in Potential 2028 Primary

Governor Gavin Newsom said he would not enter the 2028 presidential race against former Vice President Kamala Harris while being interviewed by CNN’s Jake Tapper during a fly-fishing outing in Montana. When asked whether he would run against Harris, Newsom replied, "Of course not. Why would I? I wouldn’t do that to her. I wouldn’t do it to me. Why would I? I wouldn’t do that to you," adding that a primary contest would be "mutually assured destruction." He also suggested that such a contest would be a "gift from God for everybody else," referencing voters who might prefer a different Democratic nominee.

Tapper pressed the governor on the possibility, but Newsom maintained his position, noting his familiarity with Harris’s supporters and stating he would not want to waste voters’ time. The interview, recorded more than a month ago, has drawn extensive commentary on social media, where users questioned the setting and tone of the segment.

Fox News reported that its request for comment from Newsom’s office went unanswered.