Newsom rules out 2028 challenge to Kamala Harris
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California Governor Gavin Newsom has clarified his position on a potential 2028 presidential run, telling CNN's Jake Tapper he "wouldn't run" if former Vice President Kamala Harris entered the race. The comments, made during an informal interview while the pair were fly-fishing in Montana, mark the first time Newsom has named Harris specifically as the one figure who would keep him out of contention, though he stressed his immediate focus remains the 2026 midterm elections and that any 2028 decision would come afterwards.
Harris herself has yet to commit either way: on 10 September she told former footballer Megan Rapinoe on her podcast that she "hasn't decided" on 2028, saying "'28 doesn't matter if we don't win '26." Other Democrats weighing bids include Pete Buttigieg, who said in August he was "more inclined than not" to run, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has not ruled out a challenge while also considering a Senate run against Chuck Schumer. A May 2026 Lake Research Partners poll of 800 likely Democratic primary voters put Harris and Newsom ahead of the 13-strong potential field in a ranked-choice test.
- Newsom says he wouldn't run in 2028 if Harris enters the race
- Harris says she "hasn't decided" on a 2028 presidential bid
- Both are prioritising the 2026 midterms before deciding
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Newsom's decision follows months of speculation about whether he would seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028. As California's governor, he has built a national profile and a substantial fundraising network, making him one of the party's most closely watched potential contenders since Donald Trump's 2024 election victory over Harris.
Harris served as vice president under Joe Biden before becoming the Democratic nominee in 2024, when she lost the presidential race to Trump. Since then, attention has turned to who might lead the party's next attempt to win back the White House, with both Harris and Newsom frequently named among the leading possibilities.
The Democratic Party is still working out its direction and leadership after losing the presidency, and the question of who runs in 2028 is central to that process. Newsom stepping back from a potential run removes one of the more prominent names from contention, shaping how the field of possible candidates may take form over the coming years.
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of Newsom's decision argue that after the party's 2024 defeat, Democrats benefit most from unity rather than a bruising early primary fight, and that deferring to Harris allows her to build on her existing national profile, donor network and experience running a presidential campaign without the party fracturing prematurely. They see it as a pragmatic, statesmanlike choice that lets Newsom continue delivering as California's governor while keeping his own options open for the future, rather than risking a divisive intra-party contest that could weaken whoever ultimately becomes the nominee.
The case against
Others argue that stepping aside so early denies Democratic voters a genuine competitive primary at precisely the moment the party needs fresh ideas and rigorous testing of its candidates after a painful loss. They contend that Harris's 2024 defeat raises legitimate questions about her viability as a standard-bearer, and that a real contest, rather than informal deference among party elites, would better surface the strongest possible nominee and re-energise a base hungry for change rather than a rematch of a losing formula.
More coverage
- Fox News — Gavin Newsom says he won't run for president in 2028 if Kamala Harris runs
- The Hill — Newsom says he won't run for president in 2028 if Harris does
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Gavin Newsom bends the knee to Kamala Harris with shock decision on 2028 presidential run”.