Kamala Harris vs Gavin Newsom in 2028? Here’s what California’s governor had to say about his presidential bid | Today’s news
The battle for the US midterm elections is approaching, with the election scheduled for November 3rd. At the same time, American politicians are gearing up for another race that will begin immediately after the end of the midterms: the 2028 presidential election.
With US President Donald Trump serving his second and final term in office, voters could once again lean toward the Democrats. Some of the party’s strongest candidates could emerge as possible contenders, including former Vice President Kamala Harris and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who recently said he would not run for president if Harris decides.
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Here’s why California Governor Gavin Newsom won’t run against Kamala Harris
In an interview with CNN, Newsom said that while he wasn’t sure if fellow San Francisco Democrat Harris would run again, he wouldn’t put her or himself in such a contest and waste everyone’s time.
Newsom went on to say that while a contest between two Democrats would benefit Republicans the most, it would amount to a mutually destructive fight with no broader benefit or advantage.
When asked about Harris, who ran for president for the first time in 2019 but dropped out before the 2020 election and lost to Donald Trump in 2024, the California Democrat acknowledged there are strong reasons to run against Harris. But he said he wouldn’t put their overlapping base of support in such a position, adding that both Democrats and Republicans would welcome such a race, but it wouldn’t happen.
However, Newsom has not completely ruled out a presidential bid. California’s governor is considering a run for U.S. president in the upcoming election, putting him among prominent Democrats who could potentially seek the party’s nomination.
Read also | Pete Hegseth wraps up reports on a 2028 presidential run
What did Newsom say about his potential presidential run?
When asked how he decided to run for president, the California governor explained that although he has no experience with the process, he is going through it. When a CNN reporter pointed out that some people wanted Newsom to challenge former President Joe Biden in 2024, he said he was not ready at the time and believed he would be easily defeated.
Newsom went on to say that he did not have a strong enough reason to enter the race. He added that over the past few election cycles, he has come across “leading candidates” who also had no compelling reason to fight the race.
In addition, the California governor said that his wife and school-aged children will also have a say in his decision to run for the US president, and he will not consider it if they do not agree.
Newsom, who cannot seek another term as California governor due to term limits, has publicly indicated he is considering a presidential run. He also worked to expand his national presence, including visiting swing states like North Carolina to campaign ahead of the midterm elections.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Kamala Harris said in April that she was “thinking” about running in 2028.
But whether the two Democrats find themselves on opposite sides of the race in 2028, or whether one of them ultimately decides not to run, remains to be seen.
