Gavin Newsom, the Governor of California, has stated he will not seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028 should Kamala Harris decide to run. He believes that a contest between the two would create divisions within their shared voter base.
“I’m not sure if she will run, but we’ll see. I wouldn’t run if she does,” Newsom commented during an exclusive interview with CNN. The conversation took place while he was fishing with journalist Jake Tapper in Montana.
Tapper himself was taken aback by Newsom's response, given that Newsom has long been speculated as a potential Democratic contender for the White House in 2028.
The governor elaborated that a primary battle between him and Harris would be “a gift from God to everyone else” in the race, potentially leading to “mutually assured destruction” due to their significant overlap in voter support.
“I know her base, I know her friends, the Venn diagram is a pure overlap,” he explained. “I wouldn’t do that to people. I wouldn’t put them in that position.”
Tapper then reminded viewers of Harris's electoral history: she withdrew from the 2020 presidential race before the primaries and lost the 2024 general election to Donald Trump.
Newsom acknowledged that Harris’s past could be used as a point against her. “A pretty good argument, actually. It’s objectively true,” he conceded, though he maintained that he would not change his stance to avoid a direct confrontation.
“Every other Democrat is hoping for it, and every other Republican is too. And that’s just not going to happen,” Newsom asserted.
Harris has left open the possibility of pursuing the presidency again. In April 2026, she admitted to considering the option, and as of August, according to Politico, she had not ruled out a candidacy.
Newsom has also not officially declared any intention to run in 2028. His term as California's governor ends in January 2027 due to term limits, and he told CNN that he is still “learning on the fly” about how to approach a presidential decision.
He also shared his reasoning for not challenging then-President Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination in 2024.
“I wasn’t ready. If I had done it, I would have been crushed because I didn’t have a motive. If you don’t have a big enough motive, then you don’t belong there,” he admitted.
Any potential candidacy would also depend on his family. Newsom emphasized he would need the support of his wife and four children before embarking on a presidential campaign: “If they’re not in agreement, then there’s nothing to do.”
The governor is part of a lengthy list of Democratic figures considered possible contenders for 2028, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Pete Buttigieg, Josh Shapiro, and Andy Beshear.
Potential 2028 Democratic Presidential Candidates
What did Gavin Newsom say about running against Kamala Harris in 2028?
Gavin Newsom stated that he would not run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028 if Kamala Harris decides to run, as he believes it would divide their shared voter base.
Why does Newsom believe a primary between him and Harris would be problematic?
Newsom believes a primary between him and Harris would lead to "mutually assured destruction" due to their significant overlap in voter support, making it advantageous for other candidates.
Has Kamala Harris confirmed her intentions for the 2028 presidential race?
Kamala Harris has not confirmed her intentions for the 2028 presidential race but has stated she is considering the possibility and has not ruled out running.