Gavin Newsom says he won't run for president in 2028 if Kamala Harris runs
California Governor Gavin Newsom Says He Won’t Run for 2028 Presidency If Kamala Harris Enters the Race
In a candid interview released Monday, California Governor Gavin Newsom told CNN’s Jake Tapper that he would not seek the Democratic nomination for president if former Vice President Kamala Harris announced a candidacy. The conversation, conducted while the two men were fly‑fishing in Montana, revealed Newsom’s view that a contested Democratic primary could be wasteful and destructive.
“We don’t know if she runs, but we’ll see,” Newsom said. “But I wouldn’t run if she ran.” When Tapper, visibly surprised, asked, “If she runs, you will not?” the governor replied, “Of course not. 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?”
Newsom explained that a split Democratic field would “feast on the mutual‑assured destruction” that comes with a crowded primary, and that he preferred to avoid that scenario. He added that he had a clear sense of Harris’s base and that their interests would overlap. “I know what that means. I know her base of supporters. I know her friends. The Venn diagram on that is just pure crossover. I wouldn’t do that,” he said.
The governor’s comments come amid a growing list of Democrats eyeing the 2028 presidential contest. Harris, the former Vice President, is currently leading a wide lead in the Democratic field. According to the RealClearPolitics average of recent polls, Harris holds a 24.5‑point advantage over Newsom, who trails by 13.5 points. Former Biden Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez, and Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff are all within a five‑point margin of Harris, according to the same polling aggregate.
On the betting scene, Polymarket odds favor Ocasio‑Cortez at more than 19 percent, Ossoff at 16 percent, Newsom at 12.7 percent, and Harris at 8 percent. The odds reflect a broad perception that Harris may have the inside track to secure the Democratic nomination.
Newsom’s name has been discussed as a potential 2028 contender for several years. He has served as California’s governor since 2019 and has been seen as a rising star within the party. However, his remarks suggest that he would step aside if Harris, who has held the national spotlight as Vice President since 2021, decided to enter the race. His decision reflects a pragmatic calculation that the Democratic Party should avoid a bruising contest that could divide the base and drain resources.
The interview also touched on broader dynamics in the Democratic primaries. Newsom noted that “the mutual‑assured destruction” of a crowded field could harm the party’s chances in the general election. He hinted that the current competitive landscape might leave the Democratic nominee with a weaker position against the Republican challenger.
While Newsom’s comments were made in a casual setting, they carry weight in the national conversation about who may ultimately secure the Democratic nomination in 2028. Harris, with her high name recognition and national profile, continues to lead the field. Newsom’s willingness to back down could signal a strategic move to preserve party unity and strengthen the eventual nominee’s position in the general election.
The political landscape remains fluid. Other developments, such as Harris’s recent stop in a key primary state, her outreach to a Socialist mayor, and the ongoing “attack dog” commentary from Newsom’s campaign about Democratic rivals like Pete Buttigieg, underscore the complex interplay of personalities and strategy in the upcoming election cycle.
As the 2028 campaign season gathers momentum, the question of whether Harris will launch a presidential bid—and whether Newsom will remain in the race—will continue to shape discussions within the Democratic Party and beyond.