Gavin Newsom states he will not run for president in 2028 if Kamala Harris enters the race

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that he will not pursue a presidential campaign in 2028 if former Vice President Kamala Harris decides to run. In an interview with CNN, which aired on September 14, 2026, Newsom stated, "I wouldn’t run if she ran." He expressed that competing against Harris, a fellow Democrat and former California attorney general, would create a situation detrimental to both candidates. Newsom described it as an electoral "gift" for their opponents, saying it would lead to "mutual assured destruction" and serve no greater good. He acknowledged that Harris has previously run for president in 2020 and 2024, and suggested that there would be significant overlap in their supporter bases. Newsom's office did not provide additional comments on his remarks, and Harris has not announced her decision regarding a 2028 bid. She previously indicated that she is focused on the upcoming midterm elections and has not made a final decision about running again. Newsom, who is nearing the end of his term as governor, had stated he would consider a presidential run after the midterms and has visited South Carolina, the first state to hold a Democratic primary in 2028, to assess his options.