California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he would not enter the 2028 Democratic presidential primary if former Vice President Kamala Harris decides to run, signaling he wants to avoid a high-profile intraparty clash between two leading California Democrats.
In a CNN interview aired Monday, Newsom said, “I wouldn’t run if she ran,” adding that he did not want to waste anyone’s time. He said the overlap between his supporters and Harris’ would be so large that a showdown could split the same political base.
Newsom and Harris have both been seen as possible 2028 contenders, and both have long been tied to California as their political base. Harris has not yet said publicly whether she will run.
The statement leaves Newsom’s own plans effectively tied to Harris’ decision, underscoring how much the shape of the Democratic field could depend on whether one or both of California’s best-known national figures jump in.
