Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom has stated that he will not run for president if former Vice President Kamala Harris decides to enter the race. In an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Newsom revealed his stance: “I don’t know if she runs, but we’ll see. But I wouldn’t run if she ran.”
Tapper expressed surprise at Newsom’s decision. “Of course not,” Newsom responded. “Why would I? I wouldn’t do that to her … I wouldn’t do that to you. I wouldn’t waste everyone’s time. Who needs that?”
During the conversation, which took place while fly-fishing in Montana, Newsom highlighted the potential consequences of multiple Democrats vying for the nomination, describing it as “mutual-assured destruction.” Tapper challenged Newsom by pointing out that Harris had previously campaigned twice for the presidential seat, while Newsom had never run.
“Yeah,” Newsom agreed. “I mean, that’d be the approach to the campaign, certainly. That’d be the case you’d make. Pretty good one, actually. That’s objectively true.”
Newsom explained his reluctance by referencing Harris’s supporter base, stating, “I know her base of supporters. I know her friends. The Venn diagram on that is just pure crossover. I wouldn’t do that.”
Newsom has been considered a possible contender for the 2028 presidential election. However, Harris, who is also a Californian and the 2024 Democratic nominee, appears to hold a strong position. According to RealClearPolitics, Harris leads Newsom by a 24.5% to 13.5% margin among Democratic hopefuls.
Other figures such as former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff are also close contenders. Betting odds from Polymarket indicate Ocasio-Cortez as the current frontrunner with over 19%, followed by Ossoff at 16%. Newsom has 12.7% odds, and Harris trails with 8%.
Joseph A. Wulfsohn is a media reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter: @JosephWulfsohn.