Gavin Newsom States He Will Not Run for President If Kamala Harris Does

<p>California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom stated that he would not run for president in 2028 if former Vice President Kamala Harris enters the race. </p><p>“I wouldn’t run if she ran,” Newsom told CNN's Jake Tapper. </p><p>Tapper later reported that he was “stunned” by Newsom's answer. </p><p>“Why would I? I wouldn’t waste everyone’s time,” Newsom continued. </p><p>Newsom expressed that a contest between the two California Democrats would benefit Republicans and force their overlapping allies to choose sides. </p><p>“First of all, electorally, it’s a gift from God for everybody else,” Newsom said. “They’d enjoy the hell out of it. Mutually assured destruction. It serves no greater good.” </p><p>Tapper raised the point that Harris unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination in 2019 and lost the 2024 presidential election, while Newsom has never run a national campaign. </p><p>“That would be the case you’d make,” Newsom replied. “Pretty good one, actually. That’s objectively true.” </p><p>“But I know what that means,” he continued. “I know her base of supporters. I know her friends. The Venn diagram on that is just pure crossover…I wouldn’t do that to people.” </p><p>Newsom’s declaration was more definitive than his response in February, when CNN’s Dana Bash asked what would happen if his and Harris’ political ambitions collided in 2028. </p><p>“That’s — you know, fate will determine that,” Newsom said. “And I’ve never gotten in the way of her ambition, ever. I haven’t. And I don’t imagine I would in the future.” </p><p>Newsom did not make the same promise when Tapper mentioned another potential California contender, Democratic Representative Ro Khanna. </p><p>Newsom launched a national fundraising campaign last August that fueled speculation of a 2028 White House run. While the fund was intended to finance California’s redistricting efforts, its ads appeared across the country rather than in California, potentially allowing Newsom to build a national donor list. </p><p>Newsom also launched a podcast titled “This Is Gavin Newsom” last year, further expanding his national profile. </p><p>Last October, Newsom told CBS that he would give a presidential run “serious thought” after the midterm elections. </p><p>“I think the biggest challenge for anyone who runs for any office is people see right through you,” Newsom said. “If you don’t have that ‘why,’ you’re doing it for the wrong reasons.” </p><p>Harris has not decided whether she will seek the presidency again in 2028. In a recent interview, she stated that she remains focused on the midterms.</p>