Newsom states he will not run for president if Harris does

Washington — Governor Gavin Newsom stated he would not pursue the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028 if Kamala Harris decides to run, indicating respect for the former vice president ahead of a potentially crowded candidate field. "I wouldn’t run if she ran," Newsom told CNN’s Jake Tapper in an interview posted Monday. "Why would I? I wouldn’t do that to her. ... I wouldn’t do it to you, I wouldn’t waste everyone’s time." Newsom acknowledged the potential for a conflict over California supporters if both were to enter the race, noting there would be "pure crossover" between Harris’ supporters and his. This statement from Newsom reduces the likelihood of a contest between two prominent political figures from California in an election deemed critical by the Democratic Party. The question of whether Harris will make another presidential bid after her loss to President Trump in 2024 remains a significant topic of discussion regarding the Democratic field. Harris, the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee, has indicated she may seek to lead the party in 2028. Both Newsom and Harris have expressed interest in presidential bids for 2028, but Harris has kept her intentions private. Last week, she mentioned in a podcast interview that she had not yet decided whether to run, as she is focused on supporting Democrats in the midterms. A spokesperson for Harris declined to comment, and representatives for Newsom did not respond immediately to a request for comment. Harris has been viewed as a frontrunner in several polls regarding the 2028 election, including a July poll that showed her leading Newsom by double digits. However, there are ongoing concerns within the party about whether voters would support Harris following the party's loss in 2024. Some California donors expressed reluctance to support Harris or discuss her potential candidacy, while others showed more enthusiasm for Newsom. The dynamics of the 2028 Democratic primary are shifting as candidates position themselves, particularly after South Carolina was designated as the party’s first primary state, which could benefit Harris if she gains support from Black voters there. Newsom and Harris have shared political careers without previously running against each other. In February, Newsom remarked that he had "never gotten in the way of her ambition" and did not foresee doing so in the future, suggesting that fate would determine if they would compete. While there is hesitance within the party to criticize Harris, there is also a lack of strong endorsements for her. Discussions about her candidacy often reflect the party's concerns about winning. Newsom visited South Carolina recently, which is often interpreted as preparation for a presidential bid. In the CNN interview, he acknowledged uncertainty about Harris's intentions and agreed with Tapper's suggestion that Harris had already had her chance at the presidency while he had not. Newsom indicated that a contest between him and Harris could divide their supporters, potentially benefiting other candidates, stating it would not serve a greater good for either to run. He also recognized their overlapping political networks. "I know her base of supporters, I know her friends. The [Venn] diagram on that is just pure crossover," Newsom said. The interview took place in Montana, where Newsom’s in-laws own a ranch, while he and Tapper engaged in fly-fishing. The full segment was scheduled to air Tuesday. Newsom emphasized the importance of being able to "meet the moment" when deciding to run, stating, "You gotta be honest with yourself. Do you represent the zeitgeist of the moment or are you wasting everybody’s time?"