Newsom Says He Won't Run Against Harris in 2028 Presidential Race
Gavin Newsom said he would not contest a 2028 Democratic primary against Kamala Harris, calling such a race mutually destructive, while leaving the door open to his own bid.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has said he would not enter the 2028 presidential race if former Vice President Kamala Harris decides to run, arguing that a contest between the two Democrats would only help Republicans.
In an interview, Newsom said he was unsure whether Harris, a fellow San Francisco Democrat, would mount another campaign. Even so, he said he would not put either of them through such a contest, describing it as a waste of time.
He added that a primary fight between two Democrats would be mutually destructive, with no broader benefit or upside, and that both parties would welcome such a race — but it would not happen.
Harris first sought the presidency in 2019, dropped out before the 2020 election and later lost the 2024 contest to Donald Trump. Newsom acknowledged there was a strong case for a contest with her, but said he would not place their overlapping support base in that position.
No blanket withdrawal
Newsom did not rule out a presidential bid altogether. He has been weighing a run and is among the prominent Democrats who could seek the party's nomination.
Asked how he would decide, the governor said he has no experience of the process but is going through it. When it was noted that some people had wanted him to challenge former President Joe Biden in 2024, Newsom said he was not ready at the time and believed he would have been easily defeated.
He said he lacked a strong enough reason to enter that race, and that over recent election cycles he had come across leading candidates who also lacked a strong reason to contest.
Newsom also said his wife and school-aged children would have a say in any decision to run, and that he would not consider it without their agreement.
Barred by term limits from seeking another term as California governor, Newsom has publicly signalled that he is considering a presidential run and has worked to expand his national profile, including by campaigning in swing states such as North Carolina ahead of the midterm elections.
Harris said in April that she is thinking about a 2028 run. It remains to be seen whether the two Democrats end up on opposite sides of the race or whether one of them ultimately decides against running.