California Gov. Gavin Newsom has madehis clearest statement yetabout a potential 2028 presidential campaign, saying he would step aside if former Vice President Kamala Harris decides to seek the Democratic nomination.
The comments came during an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper while the pair were on a fishing trip in Montana. Newsom, long viewed as a likely White House contender, suggested a race against Harris would divide many of the same supporters and donors.
Here's what California residents need to know about what Newsom said, what it means for the Democratic field, and why the comments matter.
Gavin Newsom says he won’t run for President if Kamala Harris enters 2028 race
When asked whether he would run for president if Harris also entered the race, Newsom offered a direct answer.
“I wouldn’t run if she ran,” Newsom
told Tapper.
The governor said he would not want to force a contest against the former vice president, noting that the two share many political allies and supporters.
“Why would I? I wouldn’t do that to her. ... I wouldn’t waste everyone’s time.”
Newsom argued that a head-to-head battle between two leading California Democrats could hurt both candidates and benefit rivals in what is expected to be a crowded Democratic primary field.
The comments surprised some political observers because Newsom has spent months making appearances and taking steps widely interpreted as laying the groundwork for a national campaign.
What Newsom’s comments mean for California Democrats and the 2028 Election
California has long played an outsized role in Democratic presidential politics, and both Newsom and Harris are among the state's most recognizable political figures.
A contest between the two could have created a scramble for:
- California donors
- Political endorsements
- Campaign staff
- Grassroots volunteers
- Party activists
Newsom suggested that much of Harris' political network overlaps with his own.
"The Venn diagram on that is just pure crossover," he said during the interview.
For California voters, the governor's statement reduces the likelihood of a high-profile intra-state showdown that many political strategists had been anticipating.
Is Kamala Harris running for President in 2028? What we know so far
The short answer is: no decision has been announced.
Harris has repeatedly said she is considering her options but has not committed to entering the race.
In recent interviews, Harris has indicated she remains focused on helping Democrats compete in the 2026 midterm elections rather than making an immediate presidential announcement.
That uncertainty has hovered over the Democratic Party for months. Harris remains a prominent national figure and has generally performed strongly in early polling of potential 2028 Democratic contenders.
Still, questions remain about whether Democratic voters would support another Harris presidential campaign following her 2024 loss to President Donald Trump.
Until Harris publicly decides, much of the 2028 Democratic field remains in a holding pattern.
Did Gavin Newsom’s past moves fuel 2028 Presidential campaign speculation?
Yes.
Although Newsom has not officially launched a campaign, he has increasingly appeared on the national political stage.
Recent moves fueling speculation include:
- Traveling to key early-voting states
- Participating in national political events
- Expanding his national media presence
- Joining Democratic Party outreach efforts in states such as South Carolina
Political analysts have frequently listed Newsom among the top potential Democratic candidates for 2028.
However, Newsom said a candidate should run only if they can "meet the moment" and genuinely represent what voters want at that time.
He also noted that he backed Harris during the 2024 election cycle and previously said he had no interest in getting in the way of her political ambitions.
What happens next if Kamala Harris declines a 2028 Presidential bid?
The biggest unanswered question remains whether Harris will enter the race.
If she does, Newsom says he will stay out.
If she doesn't, speculation about a Newsom presidential campaign is likely to intensify quickly, especially as potential Democratic candidates continue visiting early primary states and building national profiles ahead of 2028.
For now, California's two most prominent Democratic figures appear determined to avoid competing against each other, leaving the future shape of the Democratic primary largely dependent on Harris' decision.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Gavin Newsom says he won’t run if Kamala Harris runs in 2028
